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THE  ENGLISH  POEMS  OF  HENRY  KING 


Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Arciiive 

in  2008  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


littp://www.arcliive.org/details/englishpoemsoflieOOking 


Portrait  of  Bishop  Henry  King 

Painted  in  February  or  March,   1642,  and  now  Hanging 

IN  THE  OLD  Lecture  Room,  Christ  Church, 

Oxford.     Artist  Unknown 


'From  a  photosraph  taken  for  this  edition  by  the  Clarendon  Press.  Oxford) 


THE  ENGLISH  POEMS 

OF 

HENRY    KING,    D.D 

1592-1669 
SOMETIME  BISHOP  OF  CHICHESTER 


NOW  FIRST  COLLECTED  FROM  VARIOUS 
SOURCES  AND  EDITED  BY 

LAWRENCE  MASON,   Ph.D. 


NEW  HAVEN:   VALE  UNIVERSITY  PRESS 

LONDON:  HUMPHREY  MILFORD 

OXFORD  UNIVERSITY  PRESS 

MDCCCCXIV 


84^44 


Copyright,  1914 
BY  Yale  University  Press 


Printed  from  type  December,  1914,  500  copies 


«i 


WS% 


TO 
A.  M.  C.  S. 


M^ 


;  PREFACE 


This    work    aims    to    present    a    complete    edition    of 
Bishop  Henry  King's  English  poems. 

The  editio  princeps  of  the  poems,  a  modest  and  exceed- 
ingly rare  little  octavo,  is  dated    1657;  but  the   unsold 
^    copies  of  that  printing  were  re-issued  in  1664  and  again 
■^^    in  1700,  with  a  new  title-page  upon  each  occasion,  and 
Vvt"  to    those    copies    bearing    the    earlier    date    were    affixed 
thirty-eight  additional  pages  of  Elegies.     After  1700  no 
V       edition  appeared  until   1843,  when  the  Rev.  J.   Hannah 
■^     republished    more    than    half    of    King  s    poetry    in    an 
elaborately  annotated  form  which  has  long  been  out  of 
print. 

The   present   edition   includes   the   tAventy-nine   poems 

omitted  by  Hannah  as  well  as  the  fifty  selected  by  him, 

^    and  in  addition  another  considerable  elegy  that  has  not 

^    been  reprinted  since  1649;  while  four  of  King's  hitherto 

J    uncollected  poems  or  parts  of  poems  are  here  for  the  first 

jr    time  printed,  from  various  MSS.,  together  with  five  other 

pieces   whereof    his    authorship    cannot    be    so    definitely 

proved,  but  of  which  four  are  almost  certainly  his  work. 

Hannah   printed   a  somewhat   inaccurate   reading  of   his 

text,  and  also  thought  it  best  "to  revise  the  punctuation," 

often  unnecessarily  and  not  seldom  quite  unhappily;  the 

present    edition    ofiFers    an    exact    reproduction    of    the 

editio  priticeps  except  for  the  numbering  of  the  lines  and 

the  natural  differences  in  fonts  of  type,  with  a  faithful 

[vii] 


PREFACE 

transcript  of  the  new  material  hitherto  uncollected.  The 
Notes  at  the  end  of  this  volume  have  been  reduced  to  the 
smallest  compass  consistent  with  the  elucidation  of  all 
real  difficulties  presented  by  the  text;  and  variant  read- 
ings resulting  from  the  collation  of  numerous  MSS.  or 
early  printed  versions  of  the  poems  have  been  recorded 
only  where  the  meaning  of  the  line  is  materially  affected. 

It  has  seemed  best  to  include  in  this  edition  no  excerpts 
from  Henry  King's  version  of  the  Psalms  in  metre, 
published  in  1651,  because  that  work  possesses  little  merit 
or  interest,  to  modern  eyes,  and  may  well  be  left  for  the 
specialist  to  consult  intact.  Selections  from  that  work, 
however,  as  well  as  an  exhaustive  biography  and  bibli- 
ography, a  critical  essay,  much  related  material,  and  a 
full  apparatus  criticus  will  be  found  in  a  Thesis  by  the 
present  writer  deposited  in  the  Yale  University  Library, 
New  Haven,  Conn.  Of  this  Thesis  the  Biography  and 
Bibliography  have  been  printed  in  full  among  the  Trans- 
actions of  the  Connecticut  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences, 
Vol.  XVHI.i 

It  now  remains  only  to  acknowledge  my  indebtedness 
for  assistance  received  in  preparing  this  work.  Professor 
Edward  Bliss  Reed  suggested  the  subject  to  me,  and  has 
advised  and  guided  me  throughout.  Hannah's  scholarly 
edition  has  been  an  invaluable  help.  My  thanks  are  also 
due  to  the  Very  Reverend  the  Dean  and  the  Chapter  of 
Christ  Church,  Oxford;  the  authorities  of  the  Bodleian, 
British  Museum,  and  Lambeth  Palace  Libraries ;  Professor 

1  Cf.   Bibliographical   Note,   pp.   187-9,   inf. 

[viii] 


PREFACE 

C.  W.  Mendell,  of  Yale  College;  Miss  E.  G.  Parker, 
of  Chalfont  Road,  Oxford ;  Dr.  and  Mrs.  E.  C.  Streeter, 
of  Boston,  Mass.,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  S.  Chase,  of 
Waterbury,  Conn. 

L.  M. 
Yale  College,  New  Haven,  Conn. 
July  10,  1914. 


[ix] 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

Frontispiece:  Portrait  of  Bishop  Henry  King 

Preface     ........        v 

Table  of  Contents      ......      ix 

Introduction      .......        1 

Facsimile  of  the  title-page  in  the  1664  issue  of  the 

Editio  Prince ps   ......        7 

The  Preface  of  the  Editio  Princeps:  "The  Publishers 

to  the  Author" 9 


Poems 

The  Double  Rock  ..... 

The  Vow-Breaker  ..... 

Upon  a  Table-Book  presented  to  a  Lady 

To  the  same  Lady  upon  Air.  Burtons  Melancholy 

The  Farewell  ..... 

J  Black-moor  Maid  wooing  a  fair  Boy 

The  Boyes  answer  to  the  Blackmoor  . 

To  a  Friend  upon  Overbury's  wife  given  to  her 

Upon  the  same       ..... 

To  A.  R.  upon  the  same  .... 

An  Epitaph  on  Niobe  turned  to  Stone 

Upon  a  Braid  of  Hair  in  a  Heart  sent  by  Mrs 

E.  H 

Sonnet:  "Tell  me  no  more  how  fair  she  is"  . 

5o««f/;  "Were  thy  heart  soft"  . 

Sonnet:  "Go  thou  that  vainly"  . 

Sonnet.     To  Patience        .... 

[xil 


13 
13 

14 
15 
15 
16 
17 
17 
18 
18 
18 

18 
19 
19 
20 
20 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 


Silence.     A  Sonnet 

Loves  Harvest 

The  Forlorn  Hope 

The  Retreat 

Sonnet:  "Tell  me  you  stars" 

Sonnet:  "I  Prethee  turn  that  face  away"     . 

Sonnet:  "Dry  those  fair,  those  chrystal  eyes" 

Sonnet:  "When  I  entreat" 

To  a  Lady  who  sent  me  a  copy  of  verses 

The  Pink 

To  his  Friends  of  Christ-Church  upon  the  mislike 

of  the  Marriage  of  the  Arts  acted  at  Woodstock 
The  Surrender 
The  Legacy  . 
The  Short  Wooing 
St.  Valentines  day  . 
To  his  unconstant  Friend 
Madam  Gabrina,  Or  the  Ill-favourd  Choice 
The  Defence  ..... 

To  One  demanding  why  Wine  sparkles 
By  occasion  of  the  Young  Prince  his  happy  birth 
Upon  the  Kings  happy  return  from  Scotland 
To  the  Queen  at  Oxford 
A  salutation  of  his  Majesties  Ship  the  Soveraign 
An  Epitaph  On  his  most  honoured  Friend  Richard 

Earl  of  Dorset   ...... 

The  Exequy  ...... 

The  Anniverse.     An  Elegy        .... 

On  two  Children  dying  of  one  Disease^  and  buried 

in  one  Grave       ...... 


21 
22 
23 
23 
24 
25 
25 
26 
26 
27 

28 
29 
31 
33 
34 
35 
38 
40 
41 
42 
45 
47 
49 

50 
51 

55 

57 


[xli] 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 


A    Letter 

An  Acknowledgment        .... 

The  Acquittance     ..... 

The  Forfeiture        ..... 

The  Departure.     An  Elegy 

Paradox  ...... 

Paradox  ...... 

The  Change  ..... 

To  my  Sister  Anne  King,  who  chid  me  in  verse  fo 

being  angry  ..... 

An  Elegy    Upon   the  immature  loss   of  the   most 

vertuous  Lady   Anne  Rich    . 
An  Elegy  Upon  Airs.  Kirk  unfortunately  drowned 

in  Thames  ..... 

An  Elegy  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Edward  Holt 
To  my  dead  friend  Ben:  Johnson 
An  Elegy   Upon  Prince  Henry's  death 
An  Elegy   Upon  S.   W.  R.        . 
An  Elegy   Upon  the  L.  Bishop  of  London  John 

King  ...... 

Upon  the  death  of  my  ever  desired  friend  Doctor 

Donne  Dean  of  Pauls  .... 
An    Elegy    Upon    the    most    victorious    King    of 

Sweden  Gustavus  Adolphus  . 
To   my   Noble  and  Judicious   Friend  Sir  Henry 

Blount  upon  his  Voyage 
To  my  honoured  Friend  Mr.  George  Sandys 
The  Woes  of  Esay  .... 

An  Essay  on  Death  and  a  Prison 


[  xiii 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 


The  Labyrinth        .  .  .  .  .  .111 

Being  waked  out  of  my  sleep  by  a  snuff  of  Candle 

which  offended  me,  I  thus  thought  .  .  .112 

Sic  Vita 113 

My  Midnight  Meditation         .  .  .  .114 

A  Penitential  Hymne       .  .  .  .  .114 

An  Elegy  Occasioned  by  sickness        .  .  .115 

The  Dirge 119 

An   Elegy    Occasioned   by   the   losse   of   the   most 

incomparable  Lady  Stanhope  .  .  .121 

An  Elegy  Upon  my  Best  Friend  L.  K.  C.  .  .    123 

On  the  Earl  of  Essex       .  .  .  .  .125 

An  Elegy  on  Sir  Charls  Lucas,  and  Sir  George 

Lisle 126 

An    Elegy    upon    the    ?nost    Incofnparable    King 

Charls  the  First 137 

Engraving   of   photostat    of   pp.    34,    35    in    Henry 
King's  Anniversary  Sermon,  Jan.  30,  1665,  to 
face  page  .  .  .  .  .  .  .152 

Facsimile  of  the  colophon  in  the  Editio  Princeps       .    156 
A  Deepe  Groane,  fetch'd  At  the  Funerall  of  that 
incomparable   and   Glorious   Monarch,    Charles 
the  First 157 

Epigrams  .......    168 

Additional  Poems  hitherto  Unprinted   .          .          .171 
Upon  y^  untimely  death   of  J.  K.  first  borne  of 
HK 173 

[  xiv  ] 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 


To  one  that  demaunded  why  the  wine  sparkles 
To  a  Lady  that  sent  rnee  a  Coppy  of  Verses 
Epigram         ...... 


Doubtful    Poems        .  .  .  ... 

A  Contemplation  upon  Flowers 

The  Complaint       ..... 

On  his  Shaddow     ..... 

Wishes  to  my  sonne  John,  for  this  new,  and  all 
succeeding  years  .... 

\In  obitum  sanctissimi  viri  Di.  Dris.  Spenseri^ 

Bibliographical  Note            .... 
Notes 


174 
174 
174 

175 
177 
178 
179 

181 
183 

187 
191 


[xv] 


INTRODUCTION 

Henry  King's  armorial  bearings  illustrate  the  family 
claim  to  descent  from  the  ancient  Saxon  monarchs  of 
Devonshire.  At  all  events,  his  ancestors  in  the  sixteenth 
century  were  very  distinguished  men,  and  his  father,  John 
King  (1559?-1621 ),  was  an  eminent  prelate  highly 
esteemed  by  Elizabeth  and  James,  Bishop  of  London  for 
the  last  ten  years  of  his  life,  and  historically  memorable 
for  his  prosecution  of  the  last  Smithfield  martyr.  Henry 
King  himself,  the  eldest  son  of  Bishop  John,  "was  born 
in  the  same  house  and  chamber  at  Wornal,  in  Bucks, 
wherein  his  father  had  received  his  first  breath,  in  the 
month  of  January,"^  1592.  Educated  at  Westminster 
School  and  at  Christ  Church,  Oxford,  he  followed  in  his 
father's  footsteps,  and  became  successively  chaplain  to 
James  and  Charles,  archdeacon  of  Colchester,  canon  of 
Christ  Church,  dean  of  Rochester,  and  finally,  on  February 
6,  1642,  Bishop  of  Chichester.  Meanwhile,  he  had 
married  Anne  Berkeley,  granddaughter  of  Sir  Maurice 
Berkeley,  of  Throwley,  in  Kent,  about  1617-1618,  who 
died  about  1624  after  having  borne  him  five  sons  and  a 
daughter,  two  only  of  whom,  John  and  Henry,  appear 
to  have  long  survived  her.  It  is  possible  that  he  married 
again,  about  1631,  but  the  evidence  is  not  conclusive.  He 
remained  in  enjoyment  of  his  bishopric  less  than  eleven 
months,  for  with  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war  he  was 

1  Wood's  "Athenae  Oxonienses,"  ed.  Bliss,  1815,  III,  839. 

[1] 


INTRODUCTION 


dispossessed  by  the  Parliamentarians  and  all  his  property 
sequestrated.  From  1643  to  1647  he  lived  in  retirement 
at  Albury,  Surrey,  probably  with  his  cousins,  the  Dun- 
combes,  but  in  1647  was  apparently  compelled  to  leave 
that  neighborhood  on  account  of  an  indiscretion  on  the 
part  of  his  son  John,  and  accordingly  moved  north  to 
his  late  brother  John's  establishment  at  Blakesware,  in 
southeastern  Hertfordshire,  near  his  friend  Sir  John 
Mounson's  manor  at  Broxbourne.  He  was  at  Langley, 
Bucks,  in  1651 ;  and  in  1657  at  Hitcham,  also  in  Bucks — 
driven  from  place  to  place  by  Parliamentarian  persecu- 
tion, apparently,  and  supported  by  the  charity  of  friends 
and  relatives.  During  the  interregnum  he  figured  promi- 
nently in  the  various  efforts  made  to  preserve  the  threat- 
ened Apostolic  succession.  In  1660  he  was  restored  to 
his  see  and  lived  there,  "the  epitome  of  all  honours,  vir- 
tues, and  generous  nobleness,"^  until  his  death,  September 
30,  1669. 

There  is  little  in  the  career  or  historical  position  of 
Bishop  Henry  King  to  call  for  extended  notice  today; 
he  becomes  important  only  on  account  of  his  poetical 
work,  which  claims  the  attention  of  readers  in  general, 
as  well  as  of  professed  students  of  literature,  on  perhaps 
three  chief  grounds:  much  of  it  is  well  worth  reading 
and  remembering  for  its  own  sake,  it  strikingly  illustrates 
the  transition  from  Elizabethan  to  Queen  Anne  literature, 
and  lastly  it  is  admirably  typical  of  the  work  of  a  large 
number  of  little-known  but  interesting  authors,  the  minor 


1  Quoted  by  Wood,  op.  cit,  III,  841. 
[2] 


INTRODUCTION 


poets  of  the  forty  years  from  the  death  of  Shakespeare  to 
the  appearance  of  Dryden's  first  considerable  poem. 

Many  of  the  graceful  trifles  on  pages  19,  20,  25,  26, 
178-180,  etc.,  will  commend  themselves  as  very  accept- 
able in  their  kind,  w^hile  "The  Surrender,"  "The  Legacy," 
"The  Woes  of  Esay,"  and  most  of  his  elegies  possess 
more  solid  merits.  His  earlier  work  is  often  deft  and 
sprightly,  while  his  more  mature  compositions  show  some 
real  power  in  thought  and  style,  together  with  flashes  of 
the  true  poetic  fervor ;  but  his  serious  claim  to  recognition 
as  a  lyric  poet  rests  on  three  achievements  which  few  poets 
need  blush  to  own.  "A  Contemplation  upon  Flowers," 
of  which  King's  authorship  is  somewhat  uncertain,  has  a 
meditative  sweetness  and  charm  not  unworthy  of  Herbert 
or  Vaughan  at  little  short  of  their  best.  "The  Exequy, 
to  his  Matchless  never-to-be-forgotten  Friend,"  with  its 
poignant  use  of  heartfelt  apostrophe  and  pathetic  repeti- 
tion, is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  moving  personal 
elegies  of  the  century.  "Tell  me  no  more  how  fair  she  is," 
perhaps  his  masterpiece,  is  a  well-nigh  flawless  little 
Cavalier  gem — not  the  equal,  naturally,  of  the  best  of 
Herrick,  Carew,  Lovelace,  but  direct,  musical,  and  distin- 
guished by  a  sustained  neatness  of  thought  and  execution. 

King's  poetry  clearly  illustrates  the  transition  from 
Elizabeth  to  Anne,  for  it  breaks  with  the  past  by  rejecting 
Spenserianism,  reflects  the  present  by  imitating  Jonson 
and    Donne,^    and    anticipates    the    future    by    tending 

1  They  were  the  gods  of  Henry  King's  idolatry;  cf.  his 
discipular  elegies,  pp.  81  and  86,  inf. 


[3] 


INTRODUCTION 


Strongly  towards  the  Waller-Denham-Dryden  manner 
which  culminated  in  the  Augustan  Age  and  Pope.  The 
"heroic  couplet"  is  generally  recognized  as  the  sign- 
manual  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  Henry  King,  in 
his  increasingly  frequent  employment  of  the  form,  steadily 
advances  towards  the  "balance,  antithesis,  epigrammatic 
wit,  rhetorical  emphasis,"  and  rare  enjambement  of  Pope's 
polished  distich.  But  while  he  exhibits  a  weighty  terse- 
ness or  pregnant  phrasing  that  is  almost  Shakespearean,^ 
occasionally,  and  an  absurd  artificiality  or  practiced 
elegance  that  is  almost  worthy  of  Pope,-  occasionally, 
still  the  bulk  of  his  work  is  distinctly  of  the  transition, 
transitional:  he  is  the  seventeenth  century  mean  between 
the  sixteenth  and  eighteenth  century  extremes. 

Major  poets,  such  as  Milton  or  even  Butler,  are  apt 
to  be  unique,  rather  exceptions  to  the  rule  than  illustra- 
tions of  it,  while  minor  poets  really  are  the  rule.  This 
is  particularly  true  in  an  unsettled  and  many-sided  period 
of  transition,  such  as  most  of  the  seventeenth  century. 
Henry  King,  not  great  enough  to  be  above  his  age  or  in 
advance  of  it,  but  so  distinctly  in  it  and  of  it  as  to  have 
felt  almost  all  its  varied  tendencies  and  influences,  serves 
admirably  as  the  unum  pro  multis  caput  in  considering 
the  voluminous  mass  of  neglected  and  often  negligible 
work  which  nevertheless  really  constitutes  the  literary 
output  of  the  time.  For,  like  practically  all  these  minor 
writers,  he  had  a  profession  or  career  as  his  real  interest 

1  Cf.  p.  31,  14-16,  19-24,  inf. 

2Cf.  pp.  34,  1-4;   111,  13-18;   112,  27-32,  41,  42,  inf. 


[4] 


INTRODUCTION 


in  life,  and  was  a  poet  only  by  avocation ;  he  paid  little  or 
no  attention  to  the  publication'  of  his  poetical  productions; 
and  he  tried  his  hand  at  many  different  kinds  of  verse, 
under  many  different  inspirations,  viz.,  Cavalier  lyrics, 
personal  effusions  (including  commendatory  epistles  in 
verse),  elegies,  political  outpourings,  moral  and  religious 
compositions,  a  metrical  version  of  the  Psalms,  epigrams, 
paradoxes,  translations,  and  Latin  and  Greek  verse.  And, 
needless  to  say,  he  shares  the  faults  as  well  as  the  virtues 
of  his  fellows.  He  is  thus  thoroughly  representative  of 
these  innumerable  nameless  minor  choristers,  as  any 
examination  of  their  scarce  little  printed  volumes  or  of 
the  many  MS.  collections  in  the  Bodleian  and  British 
Museum  clearly  shows;  and  since  these  seventeenth 
century  minors  are  being  republished  in  increasing  num- 
bers nowadays,  through  the  efforts  of  Dr.  Grosart,  Mr. 
A.  H.  Bullen,  and  others,  so  typical  an  exemplar  of  his 
class  should  certainly  be  rendered  accessible  to  readers. 

In  general,  no  extravagant  claims  can  be  made  for 
Henry  King's  poetry.  His  biography  shows  him  to  have 
been  not  at  all  extraordinary  in  character  or  gifts,  and  his 
works  naturally  rise  no  higher  than  their  source.  Never- 
theless, some  single  poems  or  detached  passages  will 
always  arouse  admiration  and  give  pleasure,  while  the 
literary  tendencies  illustrated  by  his  work  invest  his 
poetry  with  an  importance  and  interest  that  cannot  be 
denied  and  should  no  longer  be  ignored. 

iCf.  "The  Publishers  to  the  Author,"  pp.  9-11,  inf. 


[5] 


L^^tfe 


M.lfe^C^b 


POE 

ELEGIES, 

PARADOXES, 


m 


Aiid 
SONETS. 


m 

^  LONDOKT,  ^ 

.^l  Printed  for  Henry  Herrmgman  ^  zv^^^:^ 
i^Ji     are  to  be  foIdatthey^«r/7i?rmtlte      -L^' 

lower-walk  in  the  Nen^  Hx«  ^^^^ 

^  change,  id 6^.  j?-^^- 


THE  ORIGINAL  PREFACE 
IN  THE  EDITIO  PRINCEPS  OF  KING'S  POEMS 

THE  PUBLISHERS  TO  THE  AUTHOR 

Sir, 

It  is  the  common  fashion  to  make  some 
address  to  the  Readers,  but  we  are  bold 
to  direct  ours  to  you,  who  will  look  on 
this  publication  with  Anger  which 
others  must  welcom  into  the  world  with 
Joy. 

The  Lord  Verulam  comparing  inge- 
nious Authors  to  those  who  had  Or- 
chards ill  neighboured,  advised  them  to 
publish  their  own  labours,  lest  others 
might  steal  the  fruit:  Had  you  fol- 
lowed his  example,  or  liked  the  advice, 
we  had  not  thus  trespassed  against  your 
consent,  or  been  forced  to  an  Apology, 
which  cannot  but  imply  a  fault  com- 
mitted. The  best  we  can  say  for  our 
selves  is,  that  if  we  have  injured  you  it 
is  meerly  in  your  own  defence,  prevent- 
ing the  present  attempts  of  others,  who 
to  their  theft  would  (by  their  false 
copies  of  these  Poems)  have  added  vio- 

[9] 


THE  ORIGINAL  PREFACE 


lence,  and  some  way  have  wounded  your 
reputation. 

Having  been  long  engaged  on  better 
contemplations,  you  may  perhaps  look 
down  on  these  Juvenilia  (most  of  them 
the  issues  of  your  youthful  Muse)  with 
some  disdain;  and  yet  the  Courteous 
Reader  may  tell  you  with  thanks,  that 
they  are  not  to  be  despised,  being  far 
from  Abortive,  nor  to  be  disowned, 
because  they  are  both  Modest  and 
Legitimate.  And  thus  if  we  have  offered 
you  a  view  of  your  younger  face,  our 
hope  is  you  will  behold  it  with  an  un- 
wrinkled  brow,  though  we  have  pre- 
sented the  Mirrour  against  your  will. 

We  confess  our  design  hath  been  set 
forward  by  friends  that  honour  you, 
who  lest  the  ill  publishing  might  dis- 
figure these  things  from  whence  you 
never  expected  addition  to  your  credit 
(sundry  times  endeavoured  and  by  them 
defeated)  furnished  us  with  some 
papers  which  they  thought  Authentick; 
we  may  not  turn  their  favour  into  an 
accusation,  and  therefore  give  no  inti- 
mation of  their  names,  but  wholly  take 
the  blame  of  this  hasty  and  immethodi- 
cal  impression  upon  our  selves,  being 
persons  at  a  distance,  who  are  fitter  to 

[10] 


THE  ORIGINAL  PREFACE 


bear  It  then  those  who  are  neerer  re- 
lated. In  hope  of  your  pardon  we 
remain 

Your  most  devoted  servants, 

Rich:  Marriot. 
Hen:  Herringman. 


[H] 


SONNET. 

The  Double  Rock. 

Since  thou  hast  view'd  some  Gorgon,  and  art  grown 

A  solid  stone: 
To  bring  again  to  softness  thy  hard  heart 

Is  past  my  art. 
Ice  may  relent  to  water  in  a  thaw ;  5 

But  stone  made  flesh  Loves  Chymistry  ne're  saw. 

Therefore  by  thinking  on  thy  hardness,  I 

Will  petrify; 
And  so  within  our  double  Quarryes  Wombe, 

Dig  our  Loves  Tombe.  10 

Thus  strangely  will  our  difference  agree  ; 
And,  with  our  selves,  amaze  the  world,  to  see 
How  both  Revenge  and  Sympathy  consent 
To  make  two  Rocks  each  others  Monument. 

The  Vow-Breaker. 

When  first  the  Magick  of  thine  ey, 

Usurpt  upon  my  liberty. 

Triumphing  in  my  hearts  spoyl,  thou 

Didst  lock  up  thine  in  such  a  vow ; 

When  I  prove  false,  may  the  bright  day  5 

Be  govern' d  by  the  Moons  pale  ray! 

(As  I  too  well  remember)  This 

Thou  said'st,  and  seald'st  it  with  a  kiss. 

[13] 


POEMS 

O  Heavens !  and  could  so  soon  that  Ty 
Relent  in  slack  Apostacy?  10 

Could  all  thy  Oaths,  and  morgag'd  trust, 
Vanish  ?  like  letters  form'd  in  dust 
Which  the  next  wind  scatters.    Take  heed, 
Take  heed  Revolter ;  know  this  deed 
Hath  wrong'd  the  world,  which  will  fare  worse     15 
By  thy  Example  then  thy  Curse. 

Hide  that  false  Brow  in  mists.    Thy  shame 
Ne're  see  light  more,  but  the  dimme  flame 
Of  funeral  Lamps.    Thus  sit  and  moane, 
And  learn  to  keep  thy  guilt  at  home.  20 

Give  it  no  vent ;  for  if  agen 
Thy  Love  or  Vowes  betray  more  men, 
At  length  (I  fear)  thy  perjur'd  breath 
Will  blow  out  day,  and  waken  Death. 


Upon  a  Table-Book  presented  to  a  Lady. 

When  your  fair  hand  receives  this  little  book 
You  must  not  there  for  prose  or  verses  look. 
Those  empty  regions  which  within  you  see, 
May  by  your  self  planted  and  peopled  be : 
And  though  we  scarce  allow  your  sex  to  prove 
Writers  (unless  the  Argument  be  Love) ; 
Yet  without  crime  or  envy  you  have  roome 
Here,  both  the  Scribe  and  Author  to  become. 

[14] 


THE  FAREWELL 


To  the  same  Lady  upon  Mr.  Burtons  Melancholy. 

If  in  this  Glass  of  Humours  jou  do  find 

The  Passions  or  diseases  of  your  mind, 

Here  without  pain,  you  safely  may  endure, 

Though  not  to  suffer,  yet  to  read  your  cure. 

But  if  you  nothing  meet  you  can  apply,  5 

Then  ere  you  need,  you  have  a  remedy. 

And  I  do  wish  you  never  may  have  cause 
To  be  adjudg'd  by  these  fantastick  Laws; 
But  that  this  books  example  may  be  known, 
By  others  Melancholy,  not  your  own.  10 


THE  FAREWELL. 

Splendidis  longum  valedico  nugis. 

Farewell  fond  Love,  under  whose  childish  whip, 

I  have  serv'd  out  a  weary  Prentiship; 

Thou  that  hast  made  me  thy  scorn'd  property, 

To  dote  on  Rocks,  but  yielding  Loves  to  fly: 

Go  bane  of  my  dear  quiet  and  content^  5 

Now  practise  on  some  other  Patient. 

Farewell  false  Hope  that  fann'd  my  warm  desire 
Till  it  had  rais'd  a  wild  unruly  fire, 
Which  nor  sighs  cool,  nor  tears  extinguish  can, 
Although  my  eyes  out-flow'd  the  Ocean:  10 

Forth  of  my  thoughts  for  ever.  Thing  of  Air, 
Begun  in  errour,  finish't  in  despair. 

[15] 


POEMS 

Farewell  vain  World,  upon  whose  restless  stage 
Twixt  Love  and  Hope  I  have  foold  out  my  age; 
Henceforth  ere  sue  to  thee  for  my  redress,  15 

He  wooe  the  wind,  or  court  the  wilderness; 
And  buried  from  the  dayes  discovery. 
Study  a  slow  yet  certain  way  to  dy. 

My  woful  Monument  shall  be  a  Cell, 

The  murmur  of  the  purling  brook  my  knell ;  20 

My  lasting  Epitaph  the  Rock  shall  grone : 

Thus  when  sad  Lovers  ask  the  weeping  stone. 

What  wretched  thing  does  in  that  Center  lie  ? 

The  hollow  Eccho  will  reply,  'twas  L 

A  Black-moor  Maid  wooing  a  fair  Boy: 
sent  to  the  Author  by  Mr.  Hen.  Rainolds. 

Stay  lovely  Boy,  why  fly'st  thou  mee 

That  languish  in  these  flames  for  thee? 

I'm  black  'tis  true :  why  so  is  Night, 

And  Love  doth  in  dark  Shades  delight. 

The  whole  World,  do  but  close  thine  eye,  5 

Will  seem  to  thee  as  black  as  I; 

Or  op't,  and  see  what  a  black  shade 

Is  by  thine  own  fair  body  made. 

That  follows  thee  where  e're  thou  go; 

(O  who  allow'd  would  not  do  so?)  10 

Let  me  for  ever  dwell  so  nigh. 
And  thou  shalt  need  no  other  shade  than  I. 

Mr.  Hen.  Rainolds. 

[16] 


THE  BOYES  ANSWER  TO  THE  BLACKMOOR 


The  Boyes  answer  to  the  Blackmoor. 

Black  Maid,  complain  not  that  I  fly, 

When  Fate  commands  Antipathy: 

Prodigious  might  that  union  prove, 

Where  Night  and  Day  together  move. 

And  the  conjunction  of  our  lips  5 

Not  kisses  make,  but  an  Eclipse; 

In  which  the  mixed  black  and  white 

Portends  more  terrour  than  delight. 

Yet  if  my  shadow  thou  wilt  be. 

Enjoy  thy  dearest  wish:    But  see  10 

Thou  take  my  shadowes  property. 

That  hastes  away  when  I  come  nigh : 

Else  stay  till  death  hath  blinded  mee, 
And  then  I  will  bequeath  my  self  to  thee. 

To  a  Friend  upon  Overbury's  wife  given  to  her. 

I  know  no  fitter  subject  for  your  view 

Then  this,  a  meditation  ripe  for  you, 

As  you  for  it.    Which  when  you  read  you'l  see 

What  kind  of  wife  your  self  will  one  day  bee: 

Which  happy  day  be  neer  you,  and  may  this  5 

Remain  with  you  as  earnest  of  my  wish ; 

When  you  so  far  love  any,  that  you  dare 

Venture  your  whole  affection  on  his  care. 

May  he  for  whom  you  change  your  Virgin-life 

Prove  good  to  you,  and  perfect  as  this  Wife.  10 

[17] 


POEMS 

Upon  the  same. 

Madam,  who  understands  you  well  would  swear, 
That  you  the  Life,  and  this  your  Copie  were. 

To  A.  R.  upon  the  same. 

Not  that  I  would  instruct  or  tutor  you 
What  is  a  Wifes  behest,  or  Husbands  due. 
Give  I  this  Widdow-Wife.    Your  early  date 
Of  knowledge  makes  such  Precepts  slow  and  late. 
This  book  is  but  your  glass,  where  you  shall  see  5 

What  your  self  are,  what  other  Wives  should  bee. 

An  Epitaph  on  Niobe  turned  to  Stone. 

This  Pile  thou  seest  built  out  of  Flesh,  not  Stone, 
Contains  no  shroud  within,  nor  mouldring  bone: 

This  bloodless  Trunk  is  destitute  of  Tombe 
Which  may  the  Soul-fled  Mansion  enwombe. 

This  seeming  Sepulchre  (to  tell  the  troth)  5 

Is  neither  Tomb  nor  Body,  and  yet  both. 

Upon  a  Braid  of  Hair  in  a  Heart  sent  by  Mrs.  E.  H. 

In  this  small  Character  is  sent 

My  Loves  eternal  Monument. 

Whil'st  we  shall  live,  know,  this  chain'd  Heart 

Is  our  affections  counter-part. 

And  if  we  never  meet,  think  I  5 

Bequeath'd  it  as  my  Legacy. 

[18] 


SONNET 

SONNET. 

Tell  me  no  more  how  fair  she  is, 

I  have  no  minde  to  hear 
The  story  of  that  distant  bliss 

I  never  shall  come  near: 
By  sad  experience  I  have  found  5 

That  her  perfection  is  my  wound. 

And  tell  me  not  how  fond  I  am 

To  tempt  a  daring  Fate, 
From  whence  no  triumph  ever  came. 

But  to  repent  too  late :  10 

There  is  some  hope  ere  long  I  may 
In  silence  dote  my  self  away. 

I  ask  no  pity  (Love)  from  thee, 

Nor  will  thy  justice  blame, 
So  that  thou  wilt  not  envy  mee  15 

The  glory  of  my  flame: 
Which  crowns  my  heart  when  ere  it  dyes, 
In  that  it  falls  her  sacrifice. 

SONNET. 

Were  thy  heart  soft  as  thou  art  faire, 

Thou  wer't  a  wonder  past  compare : 

But  frozen  Love  and  fierce  disdain 

By  their  extremes  thy  graces  stain. 

Cold  coyness  quenches  the  still  fires  5 

Which  glow  in  Lovers  warm  desires ; 

[19] 


POEMS 

And  scorn,  like  the  quick  Lightnings  blaze, 

Darts  death  against  affections  gaze. 
O  Heavens,  what  prodigy  is  this 
When  Love  in  Beauty  buried  is!  10 

Or  that  dead  pity  thus  should  be 
Tomb'd  in  a  living  cruelty. 

SONNET. 

Go  thou  that  vainly  do'st  mine  eyes  invite 

To  taste  the  softer  comforts  of  the  night, 

And  bid'st  me  cool  the  feaver  of  my  brain. 

In  those  sw^eet  balmy  dewes  which  slumber  pain; 

Enjoy  thine  own  peace  in  untroubled  sleep,  5 

Whil'st  my  sad  thoughts  eternal  vigils  keep. 

O  could'st  thou  for  a  time  change  breasts  with  me, 
Thou  in  that  broken  Glass  shouldst  plainly  see, 
A  heart  which  wastes  in  the  slow  smothring  fire 
Blown  by  despair,  and  fed  by  false  desire,  10 

Can  onely  reap  such  sleeps  as  Sea-men  have, 
When  fierce  winds  rock  them  on  the  foaming  wave. 

SONNET. 
To  Patience. 

Down  stormy  passions,  down;  no  more 
Let  your  rude  waves  invade  the  shore 
Where  blushing  reason  sits  and  hides 
Her  from  the  fury  of  your  tides. 

[20] 


SILENCE— A  SONNET 


Fit  onely  'tis  where  you  bear  sway  5 

That  Fools  or  Franticks  do  obey ; 
Since  judgment,  if  it  not  resists, 
Will  lose  it  self  in  your  blind  mists. 

Fall  easie  Patience,  fall  like  rest 

Whose  soft  spells  charm  a  troubled  breast:  10 

And  where  those  Rebels  you  espy, 

O  in  your  silken  cordage  tie 

Their  malice  up !  so  shall  I  raise 

Altars  to  thank  your  power,  and  praise 

The  soveraign  vertue  of  your  Balm,  15 

Which  cures  a  Tempest  by  a  Calm. 

Silence. 
A  SONNET. 

Peace  my  hearts  blab,  be  ever  dumb, 

Sorrowes  speak  loud  without  a  tongue: 

And  my  perplexed  thoughts  forbear 

To  breath  your  selves  in  any  ear: 

Tis  scarce  a  true  or  manly  grief  5 

Which  gaddes  abroad  to  find  relief. 

Was  ever  stomack  that  lackt  meat 

Nourisht  by  what  another  eat? 

Can  I  bestow  it,  or  will  woe 

Forsake  me  when  I  bid  it  goe  ?  10 

Then  He  believe  a  wounded  breast 
May  heal  by  shrift,  and  purchase  rest. 

[21] 


POEMS 

But  if  imparting  it  I  do 

Not  ease  my  self,  but  trouble  two, 

'Tis  better  I  alone  possess  15 

My  treasure  of  unhappiness: 

Engrossing  that  which  is  my  own 

No  longer  then  it  is  unknown. 

If  silence  be  a  kind  of  death, 

He  kindles  grief  who  gives  it  breath ;  20 

But  let  it  rak't  in  embers  lye. 

On  thine  own  hearth  'twill  quickly  dye; 
And  spight  of  fate,  that  very  wombe 
Which  carries  it,  shall  prove  its  tombe. 


Loves  Harvest. 

Fond  Lunatick  forbear,  why  do'st  thou  sue 
For  thy  affections  pay  e're  it  is  due  ? 
Loves  fruits  are  legal  use;  and  therefore  may 
Be  onely  taken  on  the  marriage  day. 

Who  for  this  interest  too  early  call,  5 

By  that  exaction  lose  the  Principall. 

Then  gather  not  those  immature  delights, 

Untill  their  riper  Autumn  thee  invites. 

He  that  abortive  Corn  cuts  off  his  ground, 

No  Husband  but  a  Ravisher  is  found :  10 

So  those  that  reap  their  love  before  they  wed, 
Do  in  effect  but  Cuckold  their  own  Bed. 

[22] 


THE  FORLORN  HOPE 


The  Forlorn  Hope. 

How  long  vain  Hope  do'st  thou  my  joys  suspend? 

Say !  must  my  expectation  know  no  end ! 

Thou  wast  more  kind  unto  the  wandring  Greek 

Who  did  ten  years  his  Wife  and  Country  seek: 

Ten  lazy  Winters  in  my  glass  are  run,  5 

Yet  my  thoughts  travail  seems  but  new  begun. 

Smooth  Quick-sand  which  the  easy  World  beguiles, 
Thou  shalt  not  bury  me  in  thy  false  smiles. 
They  that  in  hunting  shadowes  pleasure  take 
May  benefit  of  thy  illusion  make.  10 

Since  thou  hast  banisht  me  from  my  content 
I  here  pronounce  thy  finall  banishment. 

Farewell  thou  dream  of  nothing!  thou  meer  voice! 
Get  thee  to  fooles  that  can  feed  fat  with  noise: 
Bid  wretches  markt  for  death  look  for  reprieve,  15 

Or  men  broke  on  the  wheel  perswade  to  live. 
Henceforth  my  comfort  and  best  Hope  shall  be, 
By  scorning  Hope,  nere  to  rely  on  thee. 


The  Retreat. 

Pursue  no  more  (my  thoughts!)  that  false  unkind, 
You  may  assoon  imprison  the  North-wind ; 
Or  catch  the  Lightning  as  it  leaps;  or  reach 
The  leading  billow  first  ran  down  the  breach ; 

[23] 


POEMS 

Or  undertake  the  flying  clouds  to  track  5 

In  the  same  path  they  yesterday  did  rack. 

Then,  like  a  Torch  turn'd  downward,  let  the  same 
Desire  which  nourisht  it,  put  out  your  flame. 

Loe  thus  I  doe  divorce  thee  from  my  brest, 

False  to  thy  vow,  and  traitour  to  my  rest!  10 

Henceforth  thy  tears  shall  be  (though  thou  repent) 

Like  pardons  after  execution  sent. 

Nor  shalt  thou  ever  my  loves  story  read, 

But  as  some  Epitaph  of  what  is  dead. 

So  may  my  hope  on  future  blessings  dwell,  15 

As  'tis  my  firm  resolve  and  last  farewell. 


SONNET. 

Tell  me  you  stars  that  our  affections  move. 
Why  made  ye  me  that  cruell  one  to  love  ? 
Why  burnes  my  heart  her  scorned  sacrifice, 
Whose  breast  is  hard  as  Chrystall,  cold  as  Ice? 

God  of  Desire !  if  all  thy  Votaries  5 

Thou  thus  repay,  succession  will  grow  wise; 
No  sighs  for  incense  at  thy  Shrine  shall  smoke, 
Thy  Rites  will  be  despis'd,  thy  Altars  broke. 

O !  or  give  her  my  flame  to  melt  that  snow 
Which  yet  unthaw'd  does  on  her  bosome  grow;      10 
Or  make  me  ice,  and  with  her  chrystall  chaines 
Binde  up  all  love  within  my  frozen  veines. 

[24] 


SONNET 

SONNET. 

I  Prethee  turn  that  face  away 
Whose  splendour  but  benights  my  day. 
Sad  eyes  like  mine,  and  wounded  hearts 
Shun  the  bright  rayes  which  beauty  darts. 

Unwelcome  is  the  Sun  that  pries  5 

Into  those  shades  where  sorrow  lies. 

Go  shine  on  happy  things.    To  me 

That  blessing  is  a  miserie: 

Whom  thy  fierce  Sun  not  warmes,  but  burnes, 

Like  that  the  sooty  Indian  turnes.  10 

He  serve  the  night,  and  there  confin'd 
Wish  thee  less  fair,  or  else  more  kind. 

SONNET. 

Dry  those  fair,  those  chrystal  eyes 
Which  like  growing  fountains  rise 
To  drown  their  banks.    Griefs  sullen  brooks 
Would  better  flow  in  furrow'd  looks. 

Thy  lovely  face  was  never  meant  5 

To  be  the  shoar  of  discontent. 

Then  clear  those  watrish  starres  again 

Which  else  portend  a  lasting  rain; 

Lest  the  clouds  which  settle  there 

Prolong  my  Winter  all  the  Year:  10 

And  the  example  others  make 

In  love  with  sorrow  for  thy  sake. 

[25] 


POEMS 


SONNET. 


When  I  entreat,  either  thou  wilt  not  hear, 

Or  else  my  suit  arriving  at  thy  ear 

Cools  and  dies  there.    A  strange  extremitie 

To  freeze  ith'  Sun,  and  in  the  shade  to  frie. 

Whil'st  all  my  blasted  hopes  decline  so  soon,  5 

Tis  Evening  with  me,  though  at  high  Noon. 

For  pity  to  thy  self,  if  not  to  me 
Think  time  will  ravish,  what  I  lose,  from  thee. 
If  my  scorcht  heart  wither  through  thy  delay. 
Thy  beauty  withers  too.    And  swift  decay  10 

Arrests  thy  Youth.     So  thou  whil'st  I  am  slighted 
Wilt  be  too  soon  with  age  or  sorrow  nighted. 


To  a  Lady  who  sent  me  a  copy  of  verses  at  my 
going  to  bed. 

Lady  your  art  or  wit  could  nere  devise 

To  shame  me  more  then  in  this  nights  surprise. 

Why  I  am  quite  unready,  and  my  eye 

Now  winking  like  my  candle,  doth  deny 

To  guide  my  hand,  if  it  had  ought  to  write ;  5 

Nor  can  I  make  my  drowsie  sense  indite 

Which  by  your  verses  musick  (as  a  spell 

Sent  from  the  Sybellean  Oracle) 

Is  charm'd  and  bound  in  wonder  and  delight, 

Faster  then  all  the  leaden  chains  of  night.  10 

[26] 


THE  PINK 

What  pity  is  it  then  you  should  so  ill 
Employ  the  bounty  of  your  flowing  quill, 
As  to  expend  on  him  your  bedward  thought, 
Who  can  acknowledge  that  large  love  in  nought 
But  this  lean  wish;  that  fate  soon  send  you  those         15 
Who  may  requite  your  rhimes  with  midnight  prose  ? 

Mean  time,  may  all  delights  and  pleasing  Theams 
Like  Masquers  revell  in  your  Maiden  dreams, 
Whil'st  dull  to  write,  and  to  do  more  unmeet, 
I,  as  the  night  invites  me,  fall  asleep.  20 


The  Pink. 

Fair  one,  you  did  on  me  bestow 
Comparisons  too  sweet  to  ow ; 
And  but  I  found  them  sent  from  you 
I  durst  not  think  they  could  be  true. 

But  'tis  your  uncontrolled  power  5 

Goddess-like  to  produce  a  flower. 
And  by  your  breath,  without  more  seed, 
Make  that  a  Pink  which  was  a  Weed. 

Because  I  would  be  loth  to  miss 
So  sweet  a  Metamorphosis,  10 

Upon  what  stalk  soere  I  grow 
Disdain  not  you  sometimes  to  blow 
And  cherish  by  your  Virgin  eye 
What  in  your  frown  would  droop  and  die: 

[27] 


POEMS 

So  shall  my  thankful  leaf  repay  15 

Perfumed  wishes  every  day: 
And  o're  your  fortune  breathe  a  spell 
Which  may  his  obligation  tell, 
Who  though  he  nought  but  she  can  give 
Must  ever  your  (Sweet)  creature  live.  20 


To  his  Friends  of  Christ-Church  upon  the  mislike 
of  the  Marriage  of  the  Arts  acted  at  Woodstock. 

But  is  it  true,  the  Court  mislik't  the  Play, 

That  Christ-Church  and  the  Arts  have  lost  the  day; 

That  Ignoramus  should  so  far  excell. 

Their  Hobby-horse  from  ours  hath  born  the  Bell  ? 

Troth  you  are  justly  serv'd,  that  would  present  5 

Ought  unto  them,  but  shallow  merriment ; 
Or  to  your  Marriage-table  did  admit 
Guests  that  are  stronger  far  in  smell  then  wit. 

Had  some  quaint  Bawdry  larded  ev'ry  Scene, 
Some  fawning  Sycophant,  or  courted  queane;  10 

Had  there  appear'd  some  sharp  cross-garter'd  man 
Whom  their  loud  laugh  might  nick-name  Puritan, 
Cas'd  up  in  factious  breeches  and  small  rufife, 
That  hates  the  surplis,  and  defies  the  cuffe : 
Then  sure  they  would  have  given  applause  to  crown  15 

That  which  their  ignorance  did  now  cry  down. 

[28] 


THE  SURRENDER 


Let  me  advise,  when  next  you  do  bestow 
Your  pains  on  men  that  do  but  little  know, 
You  do  no  Chorus  nor  a  Comment  lack, 
Which  may  expound  and  construe  ev'ry  Act :  20 

That  it  be  short  and  slight;  for  if  't  be  good 
Tis  long,  and  neither  lik't  nor  understood. 

Know  tis  Court  fashion  still  to  discommend 
All  that  which  they  want  brain  to  comprehend. 


The  Surrender. 

My  once  dear  Love ;  hapless  that  I  no  more 
Must  call  thee  so :  the  rich  affections  store 
That  fed  our  hopes,  lies  now  exhaust  and  spent, 
Like  summes  of  treasure  unto  Bankrupts  lent. 

We  that  did  nothing  study  but  the  way  5 

To  love  each  other,  with  which  thoughts  the  day 
Rose  with  delight  to  us,  and  with  them  set, 
Must  learn  the  hateful  Art  how  to  forget. 

We  that  did  nothing  wish  that  Heav'n  could  give 
Beyond  our  selves,  nor  did  desire  to  live  10 

Beyond  that  wish,  all  these  now  cancell  must 
As  if  not  writ  in  faith,  but  words  and  dust. 

Yet  witness  those  cleer  vowes  which  Lovers  make, 
Witness  the  chast  desires  that  never  brake 

[29] 


POEMS 


Into  unruly  heats;  witness  that  brest  15 

Which  in  thy  bosom  anchor'd  his  whole  rest, 

Tis  no  default  in  us,  I  dare  acquite 

Thy  Maiden  faith,  thy  purpose  fair  and  white 

As  thy  pure  self.    Cross  Planets  did  envie 

Us  to  each  other,  and  Heaven  did  untie  20 

Faster  then  vowes  could  binde.    O  that  the  Starres, 

When  Lovers  meet,  should  stand  oppos'd  in  warres ! 

Since  then  some  higher  Destinies  command, 
Let  us  not  strive  nor  labour  to  withstand 
What  is  past  help.    The  longest  date  of  grief  25 

Can  never  yield  a  hope  of  our  relief ; 
And  though  we  waste  our  selves  in  moist  laments, 
Tears  may  drown  us  but  not  our  discontents. 

Fold  back  our  arms,  take  home  our  fruitless  loves, 
That  must  new  fortunes  trie,  like  Turtle  Doves  30 

Dislodged  from  their  haunts.    We  must  in  tears 
Unwind  a  love  knit  up  in  many  years. 
In  this  last  kiss  I  here  surrender  thee 
Back  to  thy  self,  so  thou  again  art  free. 
Thou  in  another,  sad  as  that,  resend  35 

The  truest  heart  that  Lover  ere  did  lend. 

Now  turn  from  each.    So  fare  our  sever'd  hearts 
As  the  divorc't  soul  from  her  body  parts. 


[30] 


THE  LEGACY 


The  Legacy. 

My  dearest  Love !  when  thou  and  I  must  part, 
And  th'  icy  hand  of  death  shall  seize  that  heart 
Which  is  all  thine ;  within  some  spacious  will 
He  leave  no  blanks  for  Legacies  to  fill: 

Tis  my  ambition  to  die  one  of  those  5 

Who  but  himself  hath  nothing  to  dispose. 

And  since  that  is  already  thine,  what  need 

I  to  re-give  it  by  some  newer  deed  ? 

Yet  take  it  once  again.     Free  circumstance 

Does  oft  the  value  of  mean  things  advance:  10 

Who  thus  repeats  what  he  bequeath'd  before, 
Proclaims  his  bounty  richer  then  his  store. 

But  let  me  not  upon  my  love  bestow 

What  is  not  worth  the  giving.     I  do  ow 

Somwhat  to  dust:  my  bodies  pamper'd  care  15 

Hungry  corruption  and  the  worm  will  share. 
That  mouldring  relick  which  in  earth  must  lie 
Would  prove  a  gift  of  horrour  to  thine  eie. 

With  this  cast  ragge  of  my  mortalitie 

Let  all  my  faults  and  errours  buried  be.  20 

And  as  my  sear-cloth  rots,  so  may  kind  fate 

Those  worst  acts  of  my  life  incinerate. 
He  shall  in  story  fill  a  glorious  room 
Whose  ashes  and  whose  sins  sleep  in  one  Tomb. 


[31] 


( 


POEMS 

If  now  to  my  cold  hearse  thou  deign  to  bring  25 

Some  melting  sighs  as  thy  last  offering, 

My  peaceful  exequies  are  crown'd.    Nor  shall 

I  ask  more  honour  at  my  Funerall. 

Thou  wilt  more  richly  balm  me  with  thy  tears 

Then  all  the  Nard  fragrant  Arabia  bears.  30 

And  as  the  Paphian  Queen  by  her  griefs  show'r 
Brought  up  her  dead  Loves  Spirit  in  a  flow'r: 
So  by  those  precious  drops  rain'd  from  thine  eies 
Out  of  my  dust,  O  may  some  vertue  rise ! 

And  like  thy  better  Genius  thee  attend,  35 

Till  thou  in  my  dark  Period  shalt  end. 

Lastly,  my  constant  truth  let  me  commend 

To  him  thou  choosest  next  to  be  thy  friend. 

For  (witness  all  things  good)  I  would  not  have 

Thy  Youth  and  Beauty  married  to  my  grave,  40 

'Twould  shew  thou  didst  repent  the  style  of  wife 

Should'st  thou  relapse  into  a  single  life. 

They  with  preposterous  grief  the  world  delude 

Who  mourn  for  their  lost  Mates  in  solitude; 

Since  Widdowhood  more  strongly  doth  enforce  45 

The  much  lamented  lot  of  their  divorce. 

Themselves  then  of  their  losses  guilty  are 

Who  may,  yet  will  not  suffer  a  repaire. 

Those  were  Barbarian  wives  that  did  invent 

Weeping  to  death  at  th'  Husbands  Monument,  50 

[32] 


THE  SHORT  WOOING 


But  in  more  civil  Rites  She  doth  approve 
Her  first,  who  ventures  on  a  second  Love ; 

For  else  it  may  be  thought,  if  She  refrain, 

She  sped  so  ill  Shee  durst  not  trie  again. 

Up  then  my  Love,  and  choose  some  w^orthier  one  55 

Who  may  supply  my  room  when  I  am  gone ; 
So  will  the  stock  of  our  affection  thrive 
No  less  in  death,  then  were  I  still  alive. 

And  in  my  urne  I  shall  rejoj^ce,  that  I 

Am  both  Testatour  thus  and  Legacie.  60 

The  Short   Wooing. 

Like  an  Oblation  set  before  a  Shrine, 

Fair  One !    I  offer  up  this  heart  of  mine. 

Whether  the  Saint  accept  my  Gift  or  no. 

He  neither  fear  nor  doubt  before  I  know. 

For  he  whose  faint  distrust  prevents  reply,  5 

Doth  his  own  suits  denial  prophecy. 

Your  will  the  sentence  is ;  Who  free  as  Fate 
Can  bid  my  love  proceed,  or  else  retreat. 
And  from  short  views  that  verdict  is  decreed 
Which  seldom  doth  one  audience  exceed.  10 

Love  asks  no  dull  probation,  but  like  light 
Conveyes  his  nimble  influence  at  first  sight. 

I  need  not  therefore  importune  or  press; 
This  were  t'extort  unwilling  happiness : 

[33] 


POEMS 

And  much  against  affection  might  I  sin:  15 

To  tire  and  weary  what  I  seek  to  win. 
Towns  which  by  lingring  siege  enforced  be 
Oft  make  both  sides  repent  the  victorie. 

Be  Mistriss  of  your  self :  and  let  me  thrive 
Or  suffer  by  your  own  prerogative.  20 

Yet  stay,  since  you  are  Judge,  who  in  one  breath 
Bear  uncontrolled  power  of  Life  and  Death, 
Remember  (Sweet)  pity  doth  best  become 
Those  lips  which  must  pronounce  a  Suitors  doome. 

If  I  find  that,  my  spark  of  chast  desire  25 

Shall  kindle  into  Hymens  holy  fire: 
Else  like  sad  flowers  will  these  verses  prove, 
To  stick  the  Coffin  of  rejected  Love. 


St.   Valentines  day. 

Now  that  each  feather'd  Chorister  doth  sing 

The  glad  approches  of  the  welcome  Spring: 

Now  Phoebus  darts  forth  his  more  early  beam, 

And  dips  it  later  in  the  curled  stream, 

I  should  to  custome  prove  a  retrograde  5 

Did  I  still  dote  upon  my  sullen  shade. 

Oft  have  the  seasons  finisht  and  begun ; 
Dayes  into  Months,  those  into  years  have  run, 
Since  my  cross  Starres  and  inauspicious  fate 
Doom'd  me  to  linger  here  without  my  Mate:  10 

[34] 


^ 


i 


TO  HIS  UNCONSTANT  FRIEND 


Whose  loss  ere  since  befrosting  my  desire, 
Left  me  an  Altar  without  Gift  or  Fire. 

I  therefore  could  have  wisht  for  your  own  sake 
That  Fortune  had  design'd  a  nobler  stake 
For  you  to  draw,  then  one  whose  fading  day  15 

Like  to  a  dedicated  Taper  lay 
Within  a  Tomb,  and  long  burnt  out  in  vain, 
Since  nothing  there  saw  better  by  the  flame. 

Yet  since  you  like  your  Chance,  I  must  not  try 
To  marre  it  through  my  incapacity.  20 

I  here  make  title  to  it,  and  proclaime 
How  much  you  honour  me  to  wear  my  name ; 
Who  can  no  form  of  gratitude  devise. 
But  offer  up  my  self  your  sacrifice. 

Hail  then  my  worthy  Lot !  and  may  each  Morn      25 
Successive  springs  of  joy  to  j'ou  be  born : 
May  your  content  ne're  wane,  untill  my  heart 
Grown  Bankrupt,  wants  good  w^ishes  to  impart. 
Henceforth  I  need  not  make  the  dust  my  Shrine, 
Nor  search  the  Grave  for  my  lost  Valentine.  30 

To  his  unconstant  Friend. 

But  say  thou  very  woman,  why  to  me 

This  fit  of  weakness  and  inconstancie? 

What  forfeit  have  I  made  of  word  or  vow, 

That  I  am  rack't  on  thy  displeasure  now? 

If  I  have  done  a  fault  I  do  not  shame  5 

[35] 


POEMS 

To  cite  it  from  thy  lips,  give  it  a  name: 

I  ask  the  banes,  stand  forth,  and  tell  me  why 

We  should  not  in  our  wonted  loves  comply? 

Did  thy  cloy'd  appetite  urge  thee  to  trie 

If  any  other  man  could  love  as  I  ?  10 

I  see  friends  are  like  clothes,  lad  up  whil'st  new, 

But  after  wearing  cast,  though  nere  so  true. 

Or  did  thy  fierce  ambition  long  to  make 

Some  Lover  turn  a  martyr  for  thy  sake  ? 

Thinking  thy  beauty  had  deserv'd  no  name  15 

Unless  some  one  do  perish  in  that  flame : 

Upon  whose  loving  dust  this  sentence  lies. 

Here's  one  was  murther'd  by  his  Mistriss  eyes. 

Or  was't  because  my  love  to  thee  was  such, 
I  could  not  choose  but  blab  it  ?  swear  how  much      20 
I  was  thy  slave,  and  doting  let  thee  know, 
I  better  could  my  self  then  thee  forgo. 

Hearken  ye  men  that  ere  shall  love  like  me, 
He  give  you  counsel  gratis:  if  you  be 
Possest  of  what  you  like,  let  your  fair  friend  25 

Lodge  in  your  bosom,  but  no  secrets  send 
To  seek  their  lodging  in  a  female  brest ; 
For  so  much  is  abated  of  your  rest. 
The  Steed  that  comes  to  understand  his  strength 
Growes  wild,  and  casts  his  manager  at  length:        30 
And  that  tame  Lover  who  unlocks  his  heart 
Unto  his  Mistriss,  teaches  her  an  art 
To  plague  himself ;  shews  her  the  secret  way 
How  She  may  tyrannize  another  day. 

[36] 


TO  HIS  UNCONSTANT  FRIEND 


And  now  my  fair  unkindness,  thus  to  thee;        35 
Mark  how  wise  Passion  and  I  agree: 
Hear  and  be  sorry  for't.     I  will  not  die 
To  expiate  thy  crime  of  levitie : 
I  walk  (not  cross-arm'd  neither)  eat,  and  live, 
Yea  live  to  pity  thy  neglect,  not  grieve  40 

That  thou  art  from  thy  faith  and  promise  gone, 
Nor  envy  him  who  by  my  loss  hath  won. 
Thou  shalt  perceive  thy  changing  Moon-like  fits 
Have  not  infected  me,  or  turn'd  my  wits 
To  Lunacie.     I  do  not  mean  to  weep  45 

When  I  should  eat,  or  sigh  when  I  should  sleep ; 
I  will  not  fall  upon  my  pointed  quill, 
Bleed  ink  and  Poems,  or  invention  spill 
To  contrive  Ballads,  or  weave  Elegies 
For  Nurses  wearing  when  the  infant  cries.  50 

Nor  like  th'enamour'd  Tristrams  of  the  time, 
Despair  in  prose,  and  hang  my  self  in  rhime. 
Nor  thither  run  upon  my  verses  feet, 
Where  I  shall  none  but  fools  or  mad-men  meet, 
Who  mid'st  the  silent  shades,  and  Myrtle  walks,       55 
Pule  and  do  penance  for  their  Mistress  faults. 
I'm  none  of  those  poetick  male-contents 
Born  to  make  paper  dear  with  my  laments: 
Or  wild  Orlando  that  will  rail  and  vex. 
And  for  thy  sake  fall  out  with  all  the  sex.  60 

No,  I  will  love  again,  and  seek  a  prize 
That  shall  redeem  me  from  thy  poor  despise. 
He  court  my  fortune  now  in  such  a  shape 
That  will  no  faint  die,  nor  starv'd  colour  take. 


[37] 

5  'i  0  ^1  4 


POEMS 

Thus  launch  I  off  with  triumph  from  thy  shore,    65 
To  which  my  last  farewell ;  for  never  more 
Will  I  touch  there.    I  put  to  Sea  again 
Blown  with  the  churlish  wind  of  thy  disdain. 
Nor  will  I  stop  this  course  till  I  have  found 
A  Coast  that  yields  safe  harbour,  and  firm  ground.    70 

Smile  ye  Love-Starres ;  wing'd  with  desire  I  fly 
To  make  my  wishes  full  discovery: 
Nor  doubt  I  but  for  one  that  proves  like  you, 
I  shall  find  ten  as  fair,  and  yet  more  true. 


Madam  Gabrina,  Or  the  Ill-favourd  Choice. 

Con  ?nala  Muger  el  remedio 
Mucha  Tierra  par  el  medio. 

I  have  oft  wondred  why  thou  didst  elect 

Thy  Mistress  of  a  stuff  none  could  affect, 

That  wore  his  eyes  in  the  right  place.    A  thing 

Made  up,  when  Natures  powers  lay  slumbering. 

One,  where  all  pregnant  imperfections  met  5 

To  make  her  sexes  scandal:    Teeth  of  jet, 

Hair  dy'd  in  Orpment,  from  whose  fretful  hew 

Canidia  her  highest  Witch-crafts  drew. 

A  lip  most  thin  and  pale,  but  such  a  mouth 

Which  like  the  Poles  is  stretched  North  and  South.        10 

A  face  so  colour'd,  and  of  such  a  form. 

As  might  defiance  bid  unto  a  storm : 

[38] 


MADAM  GABRINA 


And  the  complexion  of  her  sallow  hide 

Like  a  wrack't  body  washt  up  by  the  Tyde : 

Eyes  small:  a  nose  so  to  her  vizard  glew'd  15 

As  if  'twould  take  a  Planets  altitude. 

Last  for  her  breath,  'tis  somewhat  like  the  smell 

That  does  in  Ember  weeks  on  Fishstreet  dwell ; 

Or  as  a  man  should  fasting  scent  the  Rose 

Which  in  the  savoury  Bear-garden  growes.  20 

If  a  Fox  cures  the  Paralyticall, 

Had'st  thou  ten  Palsies,  she'd  out-stink  them  all. 

But  I  have  found  thy  plot:  sure  thou  did'st  trie 
To  put  thy  self  past  hope  of  jealousie: 
And  whil'st  unlearned  fools  the  senses  please,  25 

Thou  cur'st  thy  appetite  by  a  disease ; 
As  many  use  to  kill  an  itch  withall, 
Quicksilver  or  some  biting  Minerall. 

Dote  upon  handsome  things  each  common  man 
With  little  study  and  less  labour  can ;  30 

But  to  make  love  to  a  Deformity, 
Onely  commends  thy  great  ability, 
Who  from  hard-favour'd  objects  draw'st  content, 
As  Estriches  from  iron  nutriment. 

Well  take  her,  and  like  mounted  George,  in  bed  35 

Boldly  atchieve  thy  Dragons  Maiden-head : 
Where  (though  scarce  sleep)  thou  mayst  rest  confident 
None  dares  beguile  thee  of  thy  punishment: 
The  sin  were  not  more  foul  he  should  commit. 
Then  is  that  She  with  whom  he  acted  it.  40 

[39] 


POEMS 


Yet  take  this  comfort :  when  old  age  shall  raze, 
Or  sickness  ruine  many  a  good  face, 
Thy  choice  cannot  impair;  no  cunning  curse 
Can  mend  that  night-peece,  that  is,  make  her  worse. 


The  Defence. 

Piensan  los  Enamorados 

Que  tienen  los  otros,  los  oios  quebranta  dos. 

Why  slightest  thou  what  I  approve  ? 
Thou  art  no  Peer  to  try  my  love, 
Nor  canst  discern  where  her  form  lyes, 
Unless  thou  saw'st  her  with  my  eyes. 

Say  she  were  foul  and  blacker  than  5 

The  Night,  or  Sun-burnt  African, 
If  lik't  by  me,  tis  I  alone 
Can  make  a  beauty  where  was  none ; 
For  rated  in  my  fancie,  she 
Is  so  as  she  appears  to  me.  10 

But  tis  not  feature,  or  a  face. 
That  does  my  free  election  grace. 
Nor  is  my  liking  onely  led 
By  a  well  temperd  white  and  red ; 
Could  I  enamour'd  grow  on  those,  15 

The  Lilly  and  the  blushing  Rose 
United  in  one  stalk  might  be 
As  dear  unto  my  thoughts  as  she. 

[40] 


TO  ONE  DEMANDING  WHY  WINE  SPARKLES 


But  I  look  farther,  and  do  find 
A  richer  beauty  in  her  mind  ;  20 

Where  something  is  so  lasting  fair, 
As  time  or  age  cannot  impair. 
Had'st  thou  a  perspective  so  cleere. 
Thou  could'st  behold  my  object  there; 
When  thou  her  vertues  should'st  espy,  25 

Theyl'd  force  thee  to  confess  that  I 
Had  cause  to  like  her,  and  learn  thence 
To  love  by  judgment  not  by  sence. 

To  One  demanding  why  Wine  sparkles. 

So  Diamonds  sparkle,  and  thy  Mistriss  eyes; 

When  tis  not  Fire  but  light  in  either  flyes. 

Beauty  not  thaw'd  by  lustful  flames  will  show 

Like  a  fair  mountain  of  unmelted  snow: 

Nor  can  the  tasted  vine  more  danger  bring  5 

Then  water  taken  from  the  chrystall  Spring, 

Whose  end  is  to  refresh  and  cool  that  heat 

Which  unallayd  becomes  foul  vices  seat: 

Unless  thy  bojding  veins,  mad  with  desire 

Of  drink,  convert  the  liquor  into  fire.  10 

For  then  thou  quaff'st  down  feavers,  thy  full  bowles 

Carouse  the  burning  draughts  of  Portia's  coles. 

If  it  do  leap  and  sparkle  in  the  cup. 
Twill  sink  thy  cares,  and  help  invention  up. 
There  never  ytx.  was  Muse  or  Poet  known  15 

Not  dipt  or  drenched  in  this  Helicon. 

[41] 


POEMS 

But  Tom !  take  heed  thou  use  it  with  such  care 

As  Witches  deal  with  their  Familiar. 

For  if  thy  vertues  circle  not  confine 

And  guard  thee  from  the  Furies  rais'd  by  wine,  20 

'Tis  ten  to  one  this  dancing  spirit  may 

A  Devil  prove  to  bear  thy  wits  away; 

And  make  thy  glowing  nose  a  Map  of  Hell 

Where  Bacchus  purple  fumes  like  Meteors  dwell. 

Now  think  not  these  sage  moralls  thee  invite  25 

To  prove  Carthusian  or  strict  Rechabite ; 

Let  fooles  be  mad,  wise  people  may  be  free, 

Though  not  to  license  turn  their  libertie. 

He  that  drinks  wine  for  health,  not  for  excess, 

Nor  drownes  his  temper  in  a  drunkenness,  30 

Shall  feel  no  more  the  grapes  unruly  fate. 

Then  if  he  took  some  chilling  Opiate. 

By  occasion  of  the  Young  Prince  his  happy  birth. 

At  this  glad  Triumph,  when  most  Poets  use 

Their  quill,  I  did  not  bridle  up  my  Muse 

For  sloth  or  less  devotion.     I  am  one 

That  can  well  keep  my  Holy-dayes  at  home; 

That  can  the  blessings  of  my  King  and  State  5 

Better  in  pray'r  then  poems  gratulate ; 

And  in  their  fortunes  bear  a  loyal  part, 

Though  I  no  bone-fires  light  but  in  my  heart. 

Truth  is,  when  I  receiv'd  the  first  report 
Of  a  new  Starre  risen  and  seen  at  Court; 

[42] 


10 


BY  OCCASION  OF  THE  YOUNG  PRINCE 


Though  I  felt  joy  enough  to  give  a  tongue 
Unto  a  mute,  yet  duty  strook  me  dumb : 
And  thus  surpriz'd  by  rumour,  at  first  sight 
I  held  it  some  allegiance  not  to  write. 

For  howere  Children,  unto  those  that  look  15 

Their  Pedigree  in  God's,  not  the  Church  book, 
Fair  pledges  are  of  that  eternitie 
Wliich  Christians  possess  not  till  they  die; 
Yet  they  appear  view'd  in  that  perspective 
Through  w^hich  we  look  on  men  long  since  alive,  20 

Like  succours  in  a  Camp,  sent  to  make  good 
Their  place  that  last  upon  the  watches  stood. 
So  that  in  age,  or  fate,  each  following  birth 
Doth  set  the  Parent  so  much  neerer  earth : 
And  by  this  Grammar  we  our  heirs  may  call  25 

The  smiling  Preface  to  our  funerall. 

This  sadded  my  soft  sense,  to  think  that  he 
Who  now  makes  Lawes,  should  by  a  bold  decree 
Be  summon'd  hence  to  make  another  room, 
And  change  his  Royal  Palace  for  a  tomb.  30 

For  none  ere  truly  lov'd  the  present  light, 
But  griev'd  to  see  it  rivall'd  by  the  night: 
And  if't  be  sin  to  wish  that  light  extinct. 
Sorrow  may  make  it  treason  but  to  think't. 
I  know  each  male-content  or  giddy  man,  35 

In  his  religion  with  the  Persian, 
Adores  the  rising  Sun ;  and  his  false  view 
Best  likes  not  what  is  best,  but  what  is  new. 

[43] 


POEMS 


O  that  we  could  these  gangrenes  so  prevent 

(For  our  own  blessing  and  their  punishment)  40 

That  all  such  might,  who  for  wild  changes  thirst, 

Rack't  on  a  hopeless  expectation,  burst. 

To  see  us  fetter  time,  and  by  his  stay 

To  a  consistence  fix  the  flying  day; 

And  in  a  Solstice  by  our  prayers  made,  45 

Rescue  our  Sun  from  death  or  envies  shade. 

But  here  we  dally  with  fate,  and  in  this 
Stern  Destiny  mocks  and  controules  our  wish; 
Informing  us,  if  fathers  should  remain 
For  ever  here,  children  were  born  in  vain ;  50 

And  we  in  vain  were  Christians,  should  we 
In  this  world  dream  of  perpetuitie. 
Decay  is  natures  Kalendar ;  nor  can 
It  hurt  the  King  to  think  he  is  a  man ; 
Nor  grieve,  but  comfort  him,  to  hear  us  say  55 

That  his  own  children  must  his  Scepter  sway. 
Why  slack  I  then  to  contribute  a  vote 
Large  as  the  Kingdoms  joy,  free  as  my  thought? 
Long  live  the  Prince,  and  in  that  title  bear 
The  world  long  witness  that  the  King  is  here :  60 

May  he  grow  up  till  all  that  good  he  reach 
Which  we  can  wish,  or  his  Great  Father  teach: 
Let  him  shine  long  a  mark  to  Land  and  Mayn, 
Like  that  bright  Spark  plac't  neerest  to  Charles  JVayn, 
And  like  him  lead  successions  golden  Teame,  65 

Which  may  possess  the  Brittish  Diademe. 


[44] 


UPON  THE  KINGS  RETURN  FROM  SCOTLAND 

But  in  the  mean  space,  let  his  Royal  Sire, 
Who  warmes  our  hopes  with  true  Promethean  fire, 
So  long  his  course  in  time  and  glory  run, 
Till  he  estate  his  vertue  on  his  son.  70 

So  in  his  Fathers  dayes  this  happy  One 
Shall  crowned  be,  yet  not  usurp  the  Throne ; 
And  Charles  reign  still,  since  thus  himself  will  be 
Heir  to  himself  through  all  Posteritie. 

Upon  the  Kings  happy  return  from  Scotland. 

So  breaks  the  day  when  the  returning  Sun 
Hath  newly  through  his  Winter  Tropick  run, 
As  You  (Great  Sir!)  in  this  regress  come  forth 
From  the  remoter  Climate  of  the  North. 

To  tell  You  now  what  cares,  what  fears  we  past,  5 

What  Clouds  of  sorrow  did  the  land  ore-cast. 
Were  lost,  but  unto  such  as  have  been  there 
Where  the  absented  Sun  benights  the  year : 
Or  have  those  Countreys  traveld  which  nere  feel 
The  warmth  and  vertue  of  his  flaming  wheel.  10 

How  happy  yet  were  we !  that  when  you  went, 
You  left  within  your  Kingdomes  firmament 
A  Partner-Light,  whose  lustre  may  despise 
The  nightly  glimm'ring  Tapers  of  the  skies. 
Your  peerless  Queen;  and  at  each  hand  a  Starre  15 

Whose  hopeful  beams  from  You  enkindled  are. 
Though  ( to  say  truth)  the  light  which  they  could  bring 
Serv'd  but  to  lengthen  out  our  evening. 

[45] 


POEMS 

Heavens  greater  lamps  illumine  it;  each  spark 
Adds  onely  this,  to  make  the  sky  less  dark.  20 

Nay  She  who  is  the  glory  of  her  sex 
Did  sadly  droop  for  lack  of  Your  reflex: 
Oft  did  She  her  fair  brow  in  loneness  shrowd, 
And  dimly  shone,  like  Venus  in  a  cloud. 

Now  are  those  gloomy  mists  dry'd  up  by  You,  25 

As  the  Worlds  eye  scatters  the  Ev'ning  dew : 
And  You  bring  home  that  blessing  to  the  land 
Which  absence  made  us  rightly  understand. 

Here  may  You  henceforth  stay !  there  need  no  charms 
To  hold  You,  but  the  circle  of  her  arms,  30 

Whose  fruitful  love  yields  You  a  rich  increase, 
Scales  of  Your  joy,  and  of  the  Kingdomes  peace. 
O  may  those  precious  pledges  fixe  You  here. 
And  You  grow  old  within  that  chrystall  Sphere! 

Pardon  this  bold  detention.    Else  our  love  35 

Will  meerly  an  officious  trouble  prove. 
Each  busie  minute  tells  us  as  it  flies, 
That  there  are  better  objects  for  your  eyes. 
To  them  let  us  leave  you,  whil'st  we  go  pray, 
Raising  this  triumph  to  a  Holy-day.  40 

And  may  that  soul  the  Churches  blessing  want; 
May  his  content  be  short,  his  comforts  scant. 
Whose  Bosom-Altar  does  no  incense  burn, 
In  thankful  sacrifice  for  your  return. 


[46] 


TO  THE  QUEEN  AT  OXFORD 


To  the  Queen  at  Oxford. 

Great  Lady !    That  thus  quite  against  our  use, 

We  speak  your  welcome  by  an  English  Muse, 

And  in  a  vulgar  tongue  our  zeales  contrive. 

Is  to  confess  your  large  prerogative, 

Who  have  the  pow'rful  freedom  to  dispense  5 

With  our  strict  Rules,  or  Customes  difference. 

Tis  fit  when  such  a  Star  deigns  to  appeare 
And  shine  within  the  Academick  Spheare, 
That  ev'ry  Colledge  grac't  by  your  resort, 
Should  onely  speak  the  language  of  your  Court;  10 

As  if  Apollo's  learned  Quire,  but  You 
No  other  Queen  of  the  Ascendent  knew. 

Let  those  that  list  invoke  the  Delphian  name. 
To  light  their  verse,  and  quench  their  doting  flame ; 
In  Helicon  it  were  High  Treason  now,  15 

Did  any  to  a  feign'd  Minerva  bow ; 
When  You  are  present,  whose  chast  vertues  stain 
The  vaunted  glories  of  her  Maiden  brain. 

I  would  not  flatter.    May  that  dyet  feed 
Deform'd  and  vicious  soules:  they  onely  need  20 

Such  physick,  who  grown  sick  of  their  decayes. 
Are  onely  cur'd  with  surfets  of  false  praise ; 
Like  those,  who  fall'n  from  Youth  or  Beauties  grace, 
Lay  colours  on  which  more  bely  the  face. 

[47] 


POEMS 


Be  You  still  what  You  are ;  a  glorious  Theme        25 
For  Truth  to  crown.    So  when  that  Diademe 
Which  circles  Your  fair  brow  drops  off,  and  time 
Shall  lift  You  to  that  pitch  our  prayers  climbe; 
Posterity  will  plat  a  nobler  wreath, 
To  crown  Your  fame  and  memory  in  death.  30 

This  is  sad  truth  and  plain,  which  I  might  fear 
Would  scarce  prove  welcome  to  a  Princes  ear ; 
And  hardly  may  you  think  that  Writer  wise 
Who  preaches  there  where  he  should  poetize; 
Yet  where  so  rich  a  bank  of  goodness  is,  35 

Triumphs  and  Feasts  admit  such  thoughts  as  this ; 
Nor  will  your  vertue  from  her  Client  turn, 
Although  he  bring  his  tribute  in  an  urn. 

Enough  of  this:  who  knowes  not  when  to  end 
Needs  must  by  tedious  diligence  offend.  40 

'Tis  not  a  Poets  office  to  advance 
The  precious  value  of  allegiance. 
And  least  of  all  the  rest  do  I  affect 
To  word  my  duty  in  this  dialect. 

My  service  lies  a  better  way,  whose  tone  45 

Is  spirited  by  full  devotion. 

Thus  whil'st  I  mention  You,  Your  Royal  Mate, 
And  Those  which  your  blest  line  perpetuate, 
I  shall  such  votes  of  happiness  reherse, 
Whose  softest  accents  will  out-tongue  my  verse.         50 

[48] 


A  SALUTATION  OF  HIS  MAJESTIES  SHIP 


A  salutation  of  his  Majesties  Ship  the  Soveraign. 

Move  on  thou  floating  Trophee  built  to  fame ! 
And  bid  her  trump  spread  thy  Majestick  name; 
That  the  blew  Tritons,  and  those  petty  Gods 
Which  sport  themselves  upon  the  dancing  floods, 
May  bow  as  to  their  Neptune,  when  they  feel  5 

The  awful  pressure  of  thy  potent  keel. 

Great  wonder  of  the  time !  whose  form  unites, 
In  one  aspect  two  warring  opposites, 
Delight  and  horrour;  and  in  them  portends 
Diff'ring  events  both  to  thy  foes  and  friends:  10 

To  these  thy  radiant  brow,  Peaces  bright  Shrine, 
Doth  like  that  golden  Constellation  shine, 
Which  guides  the  Sea  man  with  auspicious  beams, 
Safe  and  unshipwrackt  through  the  troubled  streams, 
But,  as  a  blazing  Meteor,  to  those  15 

It  doth  ostents  of  blood  and  death  disclose. 
For  thy  rich  Decks  lighten  like  Heavens  fires. 
To  usher  forth  the  thunder  of  thy  Tires. 

O  never  may  cross  wind,  or  swelling  wave 
Conspire  to  make  the  treach'rous  sands  thy  grave :      20 
Nor  envious  rocks  in  their  white  foamy  laugh 
Rejoyce  to  wear  thy  losses  Epitaph. 
But  may  the  smoothest,  most  successful  gales 
Distend  thy  sheet,  and  wing  thy  flying  sailes: 
That  all  designes  which  must  on  thee  embark,  25 

May  be  securely  plac't  as  in  the  Ark. 

[49] 


POEMS 

May'st  thou,  where  ere  thy  streamers  shall  display, 
Enforce  the  bold  disputers  to  obey: 
That  they  whose  pens  are  sharper  then  their  swords, 
May  yield  in  fact  what  they  deny'd  in  v/ords.  30 

Thus  when  th'amazed  world  our  Seas  shall  see 
Shut  from  Usurpers,  to  their  own  Lord  free, 
Thou  may'st  returning  from  the  conquer'd  Main, 
With  thine  own  Triumphs  be  crown'd  Soveraign. 

AN  EPITAPH 

On  his  Tnost  honoured  Friend  Richard  Earl  of 
Dorset. 

Let  no  profane  ignoble  foot  tread  neer 

This  hallow'd  peece  of  earth,  Dorset  lies  here. 

A  small  sad  relique  of  a  noble  spirit, 

Free  as  the  air,  and  ample  as  his  merit ; 

Whose  least  perfection  was  large,  and  great  5 

Enough  to  make  a  common  man  compleat. 

A  soul  refin'd  and  cull'd  from  many  men, 

That  reconcil'd  the  sword  unto  the  pen, 

Using  both  well.     No  proud  forgetting  Lord, 

But  mindful  of  mean  names  and  of  his  word.  10 

One  that  did  love  for  honour,  not  for  ends, 

And  had  the  noblest  way  of  making  friends 

By  loving  first.    One  that  did  know  the  Court, 

Yet  understood  it  better  by  report 

Then  practice,  for  he  nothing  took  from  thence        15 

But  the  kings  favour  for  his  recompence. 

[50] 


THE  EXEQUY 


One  for  religion,  or  his  countreys  good 
That  valu'd  not  his  Fortune  nor  his  blood. 
One  high  in  fair  opinion,  rich  in  praise; 
And  full  of  all  we  could  have  wisht,  but  dayes.        20 

He  that  is  warn'd  of  this,  and  shall  forbear 
To  vent  a  sigh  for  him,  or  lend  a  tear  ; 
May  he  live  long  and  scorn'd,  unpiti'd  fall, 
And  want  a  mourner  at  his  funerall. 


The  Exeguy. 

Accept  thou  Shrine  of  my  dead  Saint, 

Insteed  of  Dirges  this  complaint; 

And  for  sweet  flowres  to  crown  thy  hearse, 

Receive  a  strew  of  weeping  verse 

From  thy  griev'd  friend,  whom  thou  might'st  see        5 

Quite  melted  into  tears  for  thee. 

Dear  loss !  since  thy  untimely  fate 
My  task  hath  been  to  meditate 
On  thee,  on  thee:  thou  art  the  book. 
The  library  whereon  I  look  10 

Though  almost  blind.    For  thee  (lov'd  clay) 
I  languish  out  not  live  the  day, 
Using  no  other  exerdse 
But  what  I  practise  with  mine  eyes: 
By  which  wet  glasses!  find  out  15 

How  lazily  time  creeps  about 
To  one  that  mourns :  this,  onely  this 

[51] 


POEMS 

My  exercise  and  bus'ness  is: 

So  I  compute  the  weary  houres 

With  sighs  dissolved  into  showres.  20 

Nor  wonder  if  my  time  go  thus 
Backward  and  most  preposterous  ; 
Thou  hast  benighted  me,  thy  set 
This  Eve  of  blackness  did  beget, 
Who  was't  my  day,  (though»overcast  25 

Before  thou  had'st  thy  Noon-ride  past) 
And  I  remember  must  in  tears. 
Thou  scarce  had'st  seen  so  many  years 
As  Day  tells  houres.    By  thy'cleer  Sun 
My  love  and  fortune  first  did  run ;  30 

But  thou  wilt  never  more  appear 
Folded  within  my  Hemisphear, 
Since  both  thy  light  and  motion 
Like  a  fled  Star  is  fall'n  and  gon, 
And  twixt  me  and  my  soules  dear  wish  35 

The  earth  now  interposed'  is. 
Which  such  a  strange  eclipse  doth  make 
As  ne're  was  read  in  Almanake. 

I  could  allow  thee  for  a  tin:\e 
To  darken  me  and  my  sad  Clime,  40 

Were  it  a  month,  a  year,  or  ten, 
I  would  thy  exile  live  till  then ; 
And  all  that  space  my  mirth  adjourn, 
So  thou  wouldst  promise  to  return  ; 
And  putting  oiiE  thy  ashy  shrowd  45 

At  length  disperse  this  sorrows  cloud. 

[52] 


THE  EXEQUY 


But  woe  is  me !  the  longest  date 
Too  narrow  is  to  calculate 
These  empty  hopes :  never  shall  I 
Be  so  much  blest  as  to  descry  50 

A  glimpse  of  thee,  till  that  day  come 
Which  shall  the  earth  to  cinders  doome, 
And  a  fierce  Feaver  must  calcine 
The  body  of  this  world  like  thine, 
(My  Little  World!)  that  fit  of  fire  55 

Once  off,  our  bodies  shall  aspire 
To  our  soules  bliss:  then  we  shall  rise, 
And  view  our  selves  with  cleerer  eyes 
In  that  calm  Region,  where  no  night 
Can  hide  us  from  each  others  sight.  60 

Mean  time,  thou  hast-her.  earth :  much  good 
May  my  harm  do  thee.     Since  it  stood 
With  Heavens  will  I  might  not  call 
Her  longer  mine,  I  give  thee  all 
My  short-liv'd  right  and  interest  65 

In  her,  whom  living  I  lov'd  best: 
With  a  most  free  and  bounteous  grief, 
I  give  thee  what  I  could  not  keep. 
Be  kind  to  her,  and  prethee  look 
Thou  write  into  thy  Dooms-day  book  70 

Each  parcell  of  this  Rarity 
Which  in  thy  Casket  shrin'd  doth  ly: 
See  that  thou  make  thy  reckoning  streight, 
And  yield  her  back  again  by  weight; 
For  thou  must  audit  on  thy  trust  75 

Each  graine  and  atome  of  this  dust, 

[53] 


POEMS 

As  thou  wilt  answer  Him  that  lent, 
Not  gave  thee  my  dear  Monument. 

So  close  the  ground,  and  'bout  her  shade 
Black  curtains  draw,  my  Bride  is  laid.  80 

Sleep  on  my  Love  in  thy  cold  bed 
Never  to  be  disquieted ! 
My  last  good  night !    Thou  wilt  not  wake 
Till  I  thy  fate  shall  overtake: 

Till  age,  or  grief,  or  sickness  must  85 

Marry  my  body  to  that  dust 
It  so  much  loves ;  and  fill  the  room 
My  heart  keeps  empty  in  thy  Tomb. 
Stay  for  me  there ;  I  will  n6t  faile 
To  meet  thee  in  that  hallow  Vale.  90 

And  think  not  much  of  my  delay; 
I  am  already  on  the  way. 
And  follow  thee  with  all  the  speed 
Desire  can  make,  or  sorrows  breed. 
Each  minute  is  a  short  degree,  95 

And  ev'ry  houre  a  step  towards  thee. 
At  night  when  I  betake  to  rest, 
Next  morn  I  rise  neerer  my  West 
Of  life,  almost  by  eight  houres  saile, 
Then  when  sleep  breath'd  his  drowsie  gale.  100 

Thus  from  the  Sun  my  Bottom*  stears, 
And  my  dayes  Compass  downward  bears: 
Nor  labour  I  to  stemme  the  tide 
Through  which  to  Thee  I  swiftly  glide. 

[54] 


THE  ANNIVERSE—AN  ELEGY 


'Tis  true,  with  shame  and  grief  I  yield,  105 

Thou  like  the  Vann  first  took'st  the  field, 
And  gotten  hast  the  victory 
In  thus  adventuring  to  dy 
Before  me,  whose  more  years  might  crave 
A  just  precedence  in  the  grave.  110 

But  heark !    My  pulse  like  a  soft  Drum 
Beats  my  approch,  tells  Thee  I  come; 
And  slow  howere  my  marches  be, 
I  shall  at  last  sit  down  by  Thee. 

The  thought  of  this  bids  me  go  on,  115 

And  wait  my  dissolution 
With  hope  and  comfort.    Dear  (forgive 
The  crime)  I  am  content  to  live 
Divided,  with  but  half  a  heart. 
Till  we  shall  meet  and  never  part.  120 


The  Anniverse. 

AN  ELEGY. 

So  soon  grown  old !  hast  thou  been  six  years  dead  ? 

Poor  earth,  once  by  my  Love  inhabited! 

And  must  I  live  to  calculate  the  time 

To  which  thy  blooming  youth  could  never  climbe, 

But  fell  in  the  ascent !  yet  have  not  I 

Studi'd  enough  thy  losses  history. 

[55] 


POEMS 


How  happy  were  mankind  if  Death's  strict  lawes 
Consum'd  our  lamentations  like  the  cause! 
Or  that  our  grief  turning  to  dust  might  end 
With  the  dissolved  body  of  a  friend!  10 

But  sacred  Heaven !    O  how  just  thou  art 
In  stamping  deaths  impression  on  that  heart 
Which  through  thy  favours  would  grow  insolent, 
Were  it  not  physick't  by  sharp  discontent. 
If  then  it  stand  resolv'd  in  thy  decree  15 

That  still  I  must  doom'd  to  a  Desart  be 
Sprung  out  of  my  lone  thoughts,  which  know  no  path 
But  what  my  own  misfortune  beaten  hath : 
If  thou  wilt  bind  me  living  to  a  coarse, 
And  I  must  slowly  waste ;  I  then  of  force  20 

Stoop  to  thy  great  appointment,  and  obey 
That  will  which  nought  avail  me  to  gainsay. 

For  whil'st  in  sorrowes  Maze  I  wander  on, 
I  do  but  follow  lifes  vocation. 

Sure  we  were  made  to  grieve :  at  our  first  birth  25 

With  cries  we  took  possession  of  the  earth ; 
And  though  the  lucky  man  reputed  be 
Fortunes  adopted  son,  yet  onely  he 
Is  Natures  true  born  child,  who  summes  his  years 
(Like  me)  with  no  Arithmetick  but  tears.  30 


[56] 


ON  TWO  CHILDREN  DYING  OF  ONE  DISEASE 

On  two  Children  dying  of  one  Disease,  and  buried 
in  one  Grave. 

Brought  forth  in  sorrow,  and  bred  up  in  care,"^ 

Two  tender  Children  here  entombed  are : 

One  Place,  one  Sire,  one  Womb  their  being  gave, 

They  had  one  mortal  sickness,  and  one  grave. 

And  though  they  cannot  number  many  years  5 

In  their  Account,  yet  with  their  Parents  tears 

This  comfort  mingles;  Though  their  dayes  were  few 

They  scarcely  sinne,  but  never  sorrow  knew: 

So  that  they  well  might  boast,  they  carry'd  hence 

What  riper  ages  lose,  their  innocence.  10 

You  pretty  losses,  that  revive  the  fate 
Which  in  your  mother  death  did  antedate, 
O  let  my  high-swol'n  grief  distill  on  you 
The  saddest  drops  of  a  Parentall  dew : 
You  ask  no  other  dower  then  what  my  eyes  15 

Lay  out  on  your  untimely  exequies : 
When  once  I  have  discharg'd  that  mournfuU  skore, 
Heav'n  hath  decreed  you  ne're  shall  cost  me  more, 
Since  you  release  and  quit  my  borrow'd  trust. 
By  taking  this  inheritance  of  dust.  20 

A  Letter. 

I  ne'r  was  drest  in  Forms;  nor  can  I  bend 
My  pen  to  flatter  any,  nor  commend. 
Unless  desert  or  honour  do  present 
Unto  my  verse  a  worthy  argument. 

[57] 


POEMS 


You  are  my  friend,  and  in  that  word  to  me  5 

Stand  blazon'd  in  your  noblest  Heraldry; 
That  style  presents  you  full,  and  does  relate 
The  bounty  of  your  love,  and  my  own  fate, 
Both  which  conspir'd  to  make  me  yours.    A  choice 
Which  needs  must  in  the  giddy  peoples  voice,  10 

That  onely  judge  the  outside,  and  like  apes 
Play  with  our  names,  and  comment  on  our  shapes, 
Appear  too  light :  but  it  lies  you  upon 
To  justifie  the  disproportion. 

Truth  be  my  record,  I  durst  not  presume  15 

To  seek  to  you,  'twas  you  that  did  assume 
Me  to  your  bosom.    Wherein  you  subdu'd 
One  that  can  serve  you,  though  ne're  could  intrude 
Upon  great  titles ;  nor  knows  how  t'invade 
Acquaintance :    Like  such  as  are  onely  paid  20 

With  great  mens  smiles;  if  that  the  passant  Lord 
Let  fall  a  forc't  salute,  or  but  afford 
The  Nod  Regardant.     It  was  test  enough 
For  me,  you  ne're  did  find  such  servile  stuff 
Couch't  in  my  temper ;  I  can  freely  say,  25 

I  do  not  love  you  in  that  common  way 
For  which  Great  Ones  are  lov'd  in  this  false  time : 
I  have  no  wish  to  gain,  nor  will  to  climbe ; 
I  cannot  pawn  my  freedom,  nor  out-live 
My  liberty  for  all  that  you  can  give.  30 

And  sure  you  may  retain  good  cheap  such  friends, 
Who  not  your  fortune  make,  but  you,  their  ends. 


[58] 


A  LETTER 

I  speak  not  this  to  vaunt  in  my  own  story, 

All  these  additions  are  unto  your  glory; 

Who  counter  to  the  world,  use  to  elect,  35 

Not  to  take  up  on  trust  what  you  affect. 

Indeed  'tis  seldom  seen  that  such  as  you 

Adopt  a  friend,  or  for  acquaintance  sue; 

Yet  you  did  this  vouchsafe,  you  did  descend 

Below  your  self  to  raise  an  humble  friend,  40 

And  fix  him  in  your  love :  where  I  will  stand 

The  constant  subject  of  your  free  command. 

Had  I  no  ayerie  thoughts  sure  you  would  teach 

Me  higher  then  my  own  dull  sphere  to  reach: 

And  by  reflex  instruct  me  to  appear  45 

Something  (though  course  and  plain)  fit  for  your  wear. 

Know,  best  of  friends,  however  wild  report 
May  justly  say  I  am  unapt  to  sort 
With  your  opinion  or  society, 

(Which  truth  would  shame  me  did  I  it  deny)  50 

There's  something  in  me  saves,  I  dare  make  good, 
When  honour  calls  me,  all  I  want  in  blood. 

Put  off  your  Giant  titles,  then  I  can 
Stand  in  your  judgements  blank  an  equal  man. 
Though  Hills  advanced  are  above  the  Plain,  55 

They  are  but  higher  earth,  nor  must  disdain 
Alliance  with  the  Vale :  we  see  a  spade 
Can  level  them,  and  make  a  Mount  a  Glade. 
Howere  we  differ  in  the  Heralds  book. 
He  that  mankindes  extraction  shall  look  60 

[59] 


POEMS 

In  Natures  Rolles,  must  grant  we  all  agree. 
In  our  best  parts,  immortal  pedigree: 
You  must  by  that  perspective  onely  view 
My  service,  else  'twill  nere  shew  worthy  you. 

You  see  I  court  you  bluntly  like  a  friend  65 

Not  like  a  Mistress;  my  Muse  is  not  penn'd 
For  smooth  and  oylie  flights:  And  I  indent 
To  use  more  honesty  then  complement. 

But  I  have  done ;  in  lieu  of  all  you  give 
Receive  his  thankful  tribute  who  must  live  70 

Your  vow'd  observer,  and  devotes  a  heart 
Which  will  in  death  seal  the  bold  counterpart. 


An  Acknowledgment. 

My  best  of  friends !  what  needs  a  chain  to  tie 

One  by  your  m.erit  bound  a  Votarie  ? 

Think  you  I  have  some  plot  upon  my  peace, 

I  would  this  bondage  change  for  a  release? 

Since  'twas  my  fate  your  prisoner  to  be,  5 

Heav'n  knows  I  nothing  fear  but  libertie. 

Yet  j'ou  do  well  that  study  to  prevent, 

After  so  rich  a  stock  of  favour  spent 

On  one  so  worthless,  lest  my  memory 

Should  let  so  dear  an  obligation  dy  10 

Without  Record.    This  made  my  precious  Friend 

Her  Token,  as  an  Antidote  to  send 

[60] 


AN  ACKNOWLEDGMENT 


Against  forgetful  poysons.    That  as  they 

Who  Vespers  late,  and  early  Mattins  say 

Upon  their  Beads,  so  on  this  linked  skore  15 

In  golden  numbers  I  might  reckon  ore 

Your  vertues  and  my  debt,  which  does  surmount 

The  trivial  laws  of  Popular  account : 

For  that  within  this  emblematick  knot 

Your  beauteous  mind,  and  my  own  fate  is  wrote.  20 

The  sparkling  constellation  which  combines 
The  Lock,  is  your  dear  self,  whose  worth  outshines 
Most  of  your  sex :  so  solid  and  so  clear 
You  like  a  perfect  Diamond  appear ; 

Casting  from  your  example  fuller  light  25 

Then  those  dimme  sparks  which  glaze  the  brow  of  night, 
And  gladding  all  your  friends,  as  doth  the  ray 
Of  that  East-starre  which  wakes  the  cheerful  day. 

But  the  black  Map  of  death  and  discontent 
Behind  that  Adamantine  firmament,  30 

That  luckless  figure  which  like  Calvary 
Stands  strew'd  and  coppy'd  out  in  skuls,  is  I : 
Whose  life  your  absence  clouds,  and  makes  my  time 
Move  blindfold  in  the  dark  ecliptick  line. 

Then  wonder  not  if  my  removed  Sun  35 

So  low  within  the  Western  Tropick  run ; 
My  eyes  no  day  in  this  Horizon  see, 
Since  where  You  are  not  all  is  night  to  me. 

[61] 


POEMS 

Lastly,  the  anchor  which  enfastned  lies 
Upon  a  pair  of  deaths,  sadly  applies  40 

That  Monument  of  Rest  which  harbour  must 
Our  Ship-wrackt  fortunes  in  a  road  of  dust. 

So  then  how  late  soere  my  joyless  life 
Be  tired  out  in  this  affections  strife : 

Though  my  tempestuous  fancie  like  the  skie  45 

Travail  with  stormes,  and  through  my  watry  eie 
Sorrows  high-going  waves  spring  many  a  leak ; 
Though  sighs  blow  loud  til  my  hearts  cordage  break; 
Though  Faith,  and  all  my  wishes  prove  untrue, 
Yet  Death  shall  fix  and  anchor  Me  with  You.  50 

'Tis  some  poor  comfort  that  this  mortal  scope 
Will  Period,  though  never  Crown  my  Hope. 

The  Acquittance. 

Not  knowing  who  should  my  Acquittance  take, 

I  know  as  little  what  discharge  to  make. 

The  favour  is  so  great,  that  it  out-goes 

All  forms  of  thankfulness  I  can  propose. 

Those  grateful  levies  which  my  pen  would  raise,       5 

Are  stricken  dumb,  or  bury'd  in  amaze. 

Therefore,  as  once  in  Athens  there  was  shown 

An  Altar  built  unto  the  God  unknown. 

My  ignorant  devotions  must  by  guess 

This  blind  return  of  gratitude  address,  10 

Till  You  vouchsafe  to  shew  me  where  and  how 

I  may  to  this  revealed  Goddess  bow. 

1162] 


THE  FORFEITURE 


The  Forfeiture. 

My  Dearest,  To  let  you  or  the  world  know 

What  Debt  of  service  I  do  truly  ow 

To  your  unpattern'd  self,  were  to  require 

A  language  onely  form'd  in  the  desire 

Of  him  that  writes.     It  is  the  common  fate,  5 

Of  greatest  duties  to  evaporate 

In  silent  meaning,  as  we  often  see 

Fires  by  their  too  much  fuel  smother'd  be: 

Small  Obligations  may  find  vent  and  speak. 

When  greater  the  unable  debtor  break.  10 

And  such  are  mine  to  you,  whose  favours  store, 

Hath  made  me  poorer  then  I  was  before ; 

For  I  want  words  and  language  to  declare 

How  strict  my  Bond  or  large  your  bounties  are. 

Since  nothing  in  my  desp'rate  fortune  found,        15 
Can  payment  make,  nor  yet  the  summe  compound : 
You  must  lose  all,  or  else  of  force  accept 
The  body  of  a  Bankrupt  for  your  debt. 
Then  Love,  your  Bond  to  Execution  sue, 
And  take  my  self,  as  forfeited  to  you.  20 


[63] 


POEMS 

The  Departure. 

AN  ELEGY. 

Were  I  to  leave  no  more  then  a  good  friend, 

Or  but  to  hear  the  summons  to  my  end, 

(Which  I  have  long'd  for)  I  could  then  with  ease 

Attire  my  grief  in  words,  and  so  appease 

That  passion  in  my  bosom,  which  outgrowes  5 

The  language  of  strict  verse  or  largest  prose. 

But  here  I  am  quite  lost ;  writing  to  you 

All  that  I  pen  or  think,  is  forc't  and  new. 

My  faculties  run  cross,  and  prove  as  weak 

T'indite  this  melancholly  task,  as  speak:  10 

Indeed  all  words  are  vain,  well  might  I  spare 

This  rendring  of  my  tortur'd  thoughts  in  ayre, 

Or  sighing  paper.     My  infectious  grief 

Strikes  inward,  and  affords  me  no  relief. 

But  still  a  deeper  wound,  to  lose  a  sight  15 

More  lov'd  then  health,  and  dearer  then  the  light. 

But  all  of  us  were  not  at  the  same  time 

Brought  forth,  nor  are  we  billited  in  one  clime. 

Nature  hath  pitch't  mankind  at  several  rates, 

Making  our  places  diverse  as  our  fates.  20 

Unto  that  universal  law  I  bow. 

Though  with  unwilling  knee ;  and  do  allow 

Her  cruell  justice,  which  dispos'd  us  so 

That  we  must  counter  to  our  wishes  go. 

'Twas  part  of  mans  first  curse,  which  order'd  well        25 

We  should  not  alway  with  our  likings  dwell. 

[64] 


THE  DEPARTURE— AN  ELEGY 


'Tis  onely  the  Triumphant  Church  where  we 
Shall  in  unsever'd  Neighbourhood  agree. 

Go  then  best  soul,  and  where  You  must  appear 
;    Restore  the  Day  to  that  dull  Hemisphear.  30 

Nere  may  the  hapless  Night  You  leave  behind 
Darken  the  comforts  of  Your  purer  mind. 
May  all  the  blessings  Wishes  can  invent 
Enrich  jour  dayes,  and  crown  them  with  content. 
/  And  though  You  travel  down  into  the  West,  35 

!    May  Your  lifes  Sun  stand  fixed  in  the  East, 
Far  from  the  weeping  set ;  nor  may  my  ear 
Take  in  that  killing  whisper,  You  once  were. 


Thus  kiss  I  your  fair  hands,  taking  my  leave 
As  Prisoners  at  the  Bar  their  doom  receive.  40 

All  joyes  go  with  You :  let  sweet  peace  attend 
You  on  the  way,  and  wait  Your  journejs  end. 
But  let  Your  discontents,  and  sowrer  fate 
Remain  with  me,  born  off  in  my  Retrait. 
Might  all  your  crosses  in  that  sheet  of  lead  45 

Which  folds  my  heavy  heart  lie  buried : 
'Tis  the  last  service  I  would  do  You,  and  the  best 
My  wishes  ever  meant,  or  tongue  profest. 
Once  more  I  take  my  leave.    And  once  for  all, 
Our  parting  shews  so  like  a  funerall,  50 

It  strikes  my  soul,  which  hath  most  right  to  be 
Chief  IVIourner  at  this  sad  solemnitie. 

And  think  not.  Dearest,  'cause  this  parting  knell 
Is  rung  in  verses,  that  at  Your  farewell 

[65] 


POEMS 

I  onely  mourn  in  Poetry  and  Ink :  55 

No,  my  Pens  melancholy  Plommets  sink 
So  low,  they  dive  where  th'hid  affections  sit. 
Blotting  that  Paper  where  my  mirth  was  writ. 

Believ't  that  sorrow  truest  is  which  lies 
Deep  in  the  breast,  not  floating  in  the  eies:  60 

And  he  with  saddest  circumstance  doth  part, 
Who  seals  his  farewell  with  a  bleeding  heart. 


PARADOX. 

That  it  is  best  for  a  Young  Maid  to  marry 
an  Old  Man. 

Fair  one,  why  cannot  you  an  old  man  love  ? 

He  may  as  useful,  and  more  constant  prove. 

Experience  shews  you  that  maturer  years 

Are  a  security  against  those  fears 

Youth  will  expose  you  to ;  whose  wild  desire  5 

As  it  is  hot,  so  'tis  as  rash  as  fire. 

Mark  how  the  blaze  extinct  in  ashes  lies, 

Leaving  no  brand  nor  embers  when  it  dies 

Which  might  the  flame  renew :  thus  soon  consumes 

Youths  wandring  heat,  and  vanishes  in  fumes.  10 

When  ages  riper  love  unapt  to  stray 

Through  loose  and  giddy  change  of  objects,  may 

In  your  warm  bosom  like  a  cynder  lie, 

Quickned  and  kindled  by  your  sparkling  eie. 

[66] 


PARADOX 


'Tis  not  deni'd,  there  are  extremes  in  both  15 

Which  may  the  f ancie  move  to  like  or  loath : 

Yet  of  the  two  you  better  shall  endure 

To  marry  with  the  Cramp  then  Calenture. 

Who  would  in  wisdom  choose  the  Torrid  Zone 

Therein  to  settle  a  Plantation  ?  20 

Merchants  can  tell  you,  those  hot  Climes  were  made 

But  at  the  longest  for  a  three  years  trade: 

And  though  the  Indies  cast  the  sweeter  smell, 

Yet  health  and  plenty  do  more  Northward  dwell  ; 

For  where  the  raging  Sun-beams  burn  the  earth,         25 

Her  scorched  mantle  withers  into  dearth  ; 

Yet  when  that  drought  becomes  the  Harvests  curse, 

Snow  doth  the  tender  Corn  most  kindly  nurse: 

Why  now  then  wooe  you  not  some  snowy  head 

To  take  you  in  meer  pitty  to  his  bed  ?  30 

I  doubt  the  harder  task  were  to  perswade 

Him  to  love  you:  for  if  what  I  have  said 

In  Virgins  as  in  Vegetals  holds  true, 

Hee'l  prove  the  better  Nurse  to  cherish  you. 

Some  men  we  know  renown'd  for  wisdom  grown         35 

By  old  records  and  antique  Medalls  shown  ; 

Why  ought  not  women  then  be  held  most  wise 

Who  can  produce  living  antiquities? 

Besides  if  care  of  that  main  happiness 

Your  sex  triumphs  in,  doth  your  thoughts  possess,        40 

I  mean  your  beauty  from  decay  to  ke?p ; 

No  wash  nor  mask  is  like  an  old  mans  sleep. 

Young  wives  need  never  to  be  Sun-burnt  fear, 

Who  their  old  husbands  for  Umbrellaes  wear : 


[67] 


POEMS 

How  russet  looks  an  Orchard  on  the  hill  45 

To  one  that's  water'd  by  some  neighb'ring  Drill? 

Are  not  the  floated  Meadowes  ever  seen 

To  flourish  soonest,  and  hold  longest  green  ? 

You  may  be  sure  no  moist'ning  lacks  that  Bride, 

Who  lies  with  Winter  thawing  by  her  side.  50 

She  should  be  fruitful  too  as  fields  that  joyne 

Unto  the  melting  waste  of  Appenine. 

Whil'st  the  cold  morning-drops  bedew  the  Rose, 

It  doth  nor  leaf,  nor  smell,  nor  colour  lose; 

Then  doubt  not  Sweet !    Age  hath  supplies  of  wet        55 

To  keep  You  like  that  flowr  in  water  set. 

Dripping  Catarrhs  and  Fontinells  are  things 

Will  make  You  think  You  grew  betwixt  two  Springs. 

And  should  You  not  think  so.  You  scarce  allow 

The  force  or  Merit  of  Your  Marriage- Vow ;  60 

Where  Maids  a  new  Creed  learn,  &  must  from  thence 

Believe  against  their  own  or  others  sence. 

Else  Love  will  nothing  differ  from  neglect. 

Which  turns  not  to  a  vertue  each  defect. 

He  say  no  more  but  this ;  you  women  make  65 

Your  Childrens  reck'ning  by  the  Almanake. 

I  like  it  well,  so  you  contented  are. 

To  choose  their  Fathers  by  that  Kalendar. 

Turn  then  old  Erra  Pater,  and  there  see 

According  to  lifes  posture  and  degree,  70 

What  age  or  what  complexion  is  most  fit 

To  make  an  English  Maid  happy  by  it; 

And  You  shall  find,  if  You  will  choose  a  man. 

Set  justly  for  Your  own  Meridian, 

[68] 


PARADOX 


Though  You  perhaps  let  One  and  Twenty  woo,  75 

Your  elevation  is  for  Fifty  Two. 

PARADOX. 

That  Fruition  destroyes  Love. 

Love  is  our  Reasons  Paradox,  which  still 

Against  the  judgment  doth  maintain  the  Will: 

And  governs  by  such  arbitrary  laws, 

It  onely  makes  the  Act  our  Likings  cause: 

We  have  no  brave  revenge,  but  to  forgo  5 

Our  full  desires,  and  starve  the  Tyrant  so. 

They  whom  the  rising  blood  tempts  not  to  taste, 
Preserve  a  stock  of  Love  can  never  waste ; 
When  easie  people  who  their  wish  enjoy, 
Like  Prodigalls  at  once  their  wealth  destroy.  10 

Adam  till  now  had  stayd  in  Paradise 
Had  his  desires  been  bounded  by  his  eyes. 
When  he  did  more  then  look,  that  made  th'  offence, 
And  forfeited  his  state  of  innocence. 
Fruition  therefore  is  the  bane  t'undoe  15 

Both  our  affection  and  the  subject  too. 
'Tis  Love  into  worse  language  to  translate, 
And  make  it  into  Lust  degenerate: 
'Tis  to  De-throne,  and  thrust  it  from  the  heart, 
To  seat  it  grossely  in  the  sensual  part.  20 

Seek  for  the  Starre  that's  shot  upon  the  ground, 
And  nought  but  a  dimme  gelly  there  is  found. 

[69] 


POEMS 

Thus  foul  and  dark  our  female  starres  appear, 

If  fall'n  or  loosned  once  from  Vertues  Sphear. 

Glow-worms  shine  onely  look't  on,  and  let  ly,  25 

But  handled  crawl  into  deformity : 

So  beauty  is  no  longer  fair  and  bright. 

Then  whil'st  unstained  by  the  appetite: 

And  then  it  withers  like  a  blasted  flowre 

Some  poys'nous  worm  or  spider  hath  crept  ore.  30 

Pigrnaleons  dotage  on  the  carved  stone, 

Shews  Amorists  their  strong  illusion. 

Whil'st  he  to  gaze  and  court  it  was  content, 

He  serv'd  as  Priest  at  beauties  Monument: 

But  when  by  looser  fires  t'embraces  led,  35 

It  prov'd  a  cold  hard  Statue  in  his  bed. 

Irregular  affects,  like  mad  mens  dreams 

Presented  by  false  lights  and  broken  beams. 

So  long  content  us,  as  no  neer  address 

Shews  the  weak  sense  our  painted  happiness.  40 

But  when  those  pleasing  shaddowes  us  forsake, 

Or  of  the  substance  we  a  trial  make. 

Like  him,  deluded  by  the  fancies  mock, 

We  ship-wrack  'gainst  an  Alabaster  rock. 

What  though  thy  Mistress  far  from  Marble  be?         45 

Her  softness  will  transform  and  harden  thee. 

Lust  is  a  Snake,  and  Guilt  the  Gorgons  head, 

Which  Conscience  turns  to  Stone,  &  Joyes  to  Lead. 

Turtles  themselves  will  blush,  if  put  to  name 
The  Act,  whereby  they  quench  their  am'rous  flame.    50 

[70] 


PARADOX 


Who  then  that's  wise  or  vertuous,  would  not  feare 

To  catch  at  pleasures  which  forbidden  were, 

When  those  which  we  count  lawful,  cannot  be 

Requir'd  without  some  loss  of  modestie  ? 

Ev'n  in  the  Marriage-Bed,  where  soft  delights  55 

Are  customary  and  authoriz'd  Rites; 

What  are  those  tributes  to  the  wanton  sense, 

But  toleration  of  Incontinence? 

For  properly  you  cannot  call  that  Love 

Which  does  not  from  the  Soul,  but  Humour  move.     60 

Thus  they  who  worship't  Pan  or  his  Shrine, 

By  the  fair  Front  judg'd  all  within  Divine: 

Though  entring,  found  'twas  but  a  Goat  or  Cow 

To  which  before  their  ignorance  did  bow. 

Such  Temples  and  such  Goddesses  are  these  65 

Which  foolish  Lovers  and  admirers  please: 

Who  if  they  chance  within  the  Shrine  to  prie, 

Find  that  a  beast  they  thought  a  Deity. 

Nor  makes  it  onely  our  opinion  less 

Of  what  we  lik't  before,  and  now  possess;  70 

But  robbs  the  Fuel,  and  corrupts  the  Spice 

Which  sweetens  and  inflames  Loves  sacrifice. 

After  Fruition  once,  what  is  Desire 

But  ashes  kept  warm  by  a  dying  fire? 

This  is  (if  any)  the  Philosophers  Stone,  75 

Which  still  miscarries  at  Projection. 

For  when  the  Heat  ad  Octo  intermits. 

It  poorly  takes  us  like  Third  Ague  fits; 

Or  must  on  Embers  as  dull  Druggs  infuse, 

Which  we  for  Med'cine  not  for  Pleasure  use.  80 


[71] 


POEMS 

Since  Lovers  joyes  then  leave  so  sick  a  taste, 
And  soon  as  relish'd  by  the  Sense  are  past ; 
They  are  but  Riddles  sure,  lost  if  possest. 
And  therefore  onely  in  Reversion  best. 
For  bate  them  Expectation  and  Delay,  85 

You  take  the  most  delightful  Scenes  away. 
These  tvi^o  such  rule  within  the  fancie  keep, 
As  banquets  apprehended  in  our  sleep; 
After  which  pleasing  trance  next  morn  we  wake 
Empty  and  angry  at  the  nights  mistake.  90 

Give  me  long  Dreams  and  Visions  of  content, 
Rather  then  pleasures  in  a  minute  spent. 
And  since  I  know  before,  the  shedding  Rose 
In  that  same  instant  doth  her  sweetness  lose. 
Upon  the  Virgin-stock  still  let  her  dwell  95 

For  me,  to  feast  my  longings  with  her  smell. 
Those  are  but  counterfeits  of  joy  at  best. 
Which  languish  soon  as  brought  unto  the  test. 
Nor  can  I  hold  it  worth  his  pains  who  tries 
To  Inne  that  Harvest  which  by  reaping  dies.  100 

Resolve  me  now  what  spirit  hath  delight. 
If  by  full  feed  you  kill  the  appetite? 
That  stomack  healthy'st  is,  that  nere  was  cloy'd, 
Why  not  that  Love  the  best  then,  nere  enjoy'd  ? 
Since  nat'rally  the  blood,  when  tam'd  or  sated,  105 

Will  cool  so  fast  it  leaves  the  object  hated. 
Pleasures  like  wonders  quickly  lose  their  price 
When  Reason  or  Experience  makes  us  wise. 

[72] 


THE  CHANGE 


To  close  my  argument  then.    I  dare  say 

(And  without  Paradox)  as  well  we  may  110 

Enjoy  our  Love  and  yet  preserve  Desire, 

As  warm  our  hands  by  putting  out  the  fire. 

The  Change 

U  sabio  mude  conseio:  //  loco  per  sever  a. 

We  lov'd  as  friends  now  twenty  years  and  more : 
Is't  time  or  reason  think  you  to  give  o're? 
When  though  two  prentiships  set  Jacob  free, 
I  have  not  held  my  Rachel  dear  at  three. 

Yet  will  I  not  your  levitie  accuse;  5 

Continuance  sometimes  is  the  worse  abuse. 
In  judgment  I  might  rather  hold  it  strange, 
If  like  the  fleeting  world,  you  did  not  change: 
Be  it  your  wisdom  therefore  to  retract. 
When  perseverance  oft  is  follies  act.  10 

In  pity  I  can  think,  that  what  you  do 
Hath  Justice  in't,  and  some  Religion  too ; 
For  of  all  vertues  Morall  or  Divine, 
We  know  but  Love  none  must  in  Heaven  shine : 
Well  did  you  the  presumption  then  foresee  15 

Of  counterfeiting  immortalitie: 
Since  had  you  kept  our  loves  too  long  alive, 
We  might  invade  Heavens  prerogative; 
Or  in  our  progress,  like  the  Jews,  comprise 
The  Legend  of  an  earthly  Paradise.  20 

[73] 


POEMS 

Live  happy  and  more  prosperous  in  the  next, 
You  have  discharg'd  your  old  friend  by  the  Text. 
Farewel  fair  Shadow  of  a  female  faith, 
And  let  this  be  our  friendships  Epitaph: 

Affection  shares  the  frailty  of  our  fate,  25 

When  (like  our  selves)  'tis  old  and  out  of  date: 
'Tis  just  all  humane  Loves  their  period  have. 
When  friends  are  frail  and  dropping  to  the  grave. 


To  my  Sister  Anne  King,  who  chid  me  in  verse 
for  being  angry. 

Dear  Nan,  I  would  not  have  thy  counsel  lost, 

Though  I  last  night  had  twice  so  much  been  crost; 

Well  is  a  Passion  to  the  Market  brought. 

When  such  a  treasure  of  advice  is  bought 

With  so  much  dross.    And  could'st  thou  me  assure,      5 

Each  vice  of  mine  should  meet  with  such  a  cure, 

I  would  sin  oft,  and  on  my  guilty  brow 

Wear  every  misperfection  that  I  ow. 

Open  and  visible ;  I  should  not  hide 

But  bring  my  faults  abroad :  to  hear  thee  chide  10 

Li  such  a  Note,  and  with  a  Quill  so  sage. 

It  Passion  tunes,  and  calmes  a  Tempests  rage. 

Well  I  am  charm'd,  and  promise  to  redress 
What,  without  shrift,  my  follies  doe  confess 
Against  my  self:  wherefore  let  me  intreat,  15 

When  I  fly  out  in  that  distemper'd  heat 

[74] 


AN  ELEGY 


Which  frets  me  into  fasts,  thou  wilt  reprove 

That  froward  spleen  in  Poetry  and  Love: 

So  though  I  lose  my  reason  in  such  fits, 

Thoul't  rime  me  back  again  into  my  wits.  20 


AN  ELEGY 

Upon  the  immature  loss  of  the  most  vertuous 
Lady  Anne  Rich. 

I  envy  not  thy  mortal  triumphs.  Death, 

(Thou  enemy  to  Vertue  as  to  Breath) 

Nor  do  I  wonder  much,  nor  yet  complain 

The  weekly  numbers  by  thy  arrow  slain. 

The  whole  world  is  thy  Factory,  and  we  5 

Like  traffick  driven  and  retail'd  by  Thee : 

And  where  the  springs  of  life  fill  up  so  fast, 

Some  of  the  waters  needs  must  run  to  waste. 

It  is  con f est,  yet  must  our  griefs  dispute 
That  which  thine  own  conclusion  doth  refute  10 

Ere  we  begin.    Hearken !  for  if  thy  ear 
Be  to  thy  throat  proportion'd,  thou  canst  hear. 
Is  there  no  order  in  the  work  of  Fate  ? 
Nor  rule,  but  blindly  to  anticipate 

Our  growing  seasons?  or  think'st  thou  'tis  just,  15 

To  sprinkle  our  fresh  blossomes  with  thy  dust, 
Till  by  abortive  funerals,  thou  bring 
That  to  an  Autumn  Nature  meant  a  Spring? 

[75] 


POEMS 


Is't  not  enough  for  thee  that  wither'd  age 

Lies  the  unpiti'd  subject  of  thy  rage;  20 

But  like  an  ugly  Amorist,  thy  crest 

Must  be  with  spoyles  of  Youth  and  Beauty  drest? 

In  other  camps,  those  which  sate  down  to  day 

March  first  to  morrow,  and  they  longest  stay 

Who  last  came  to  the  service :  But  in  thine,  25 

Onely  confusion  stands  for  discipline. 

We  fall  in  such  promiscuous  heaps,  none  can 

Put  any  diff'rence  'twixt  thy  Rear  or  Van ; 

Since  oft  the  youngest  lead  thy  Files.    For  this 

The  grieved  world  here  thy  accuser  is,  30 

And  I  a  Plaintiff,  'mongst  those  many  ones 

Who  wet  this  Ladies  Urn  with  zealous  moanes; 

As  if  her  ashes  quick'ning  into  years 

Might  be  again  embody'd  by  our  tears 

But  all  in  vain ;  the  moisture  we  bestow  35 

Shall  make  assoon  her  curled  Marble  grow, 

As  render  heat,  or  motion  to  that  blood, 

Which  through  her  veins  branch't  like  an  azure  flood ; 

Whose  now  still  Current  in  the  grave  is  lost, 

Lock't  up,  and  fetter'd  by  eternal  frost.  40 

Desist  from  hence,  doting  Astrology ! 
To  search  for  hidden  wonders  in  the  sky; 
Or  from  the  concourse  of  malignant  starres 
Foretel  diseases  gen'ral  as  our  warres: 
What  barren  droughts,  forerunners  of  lean  dearth          45 
Threaten  to  starve  the  plenty  of  the  earth : 


[76] 


AN  ELEGY 


What  horrid  forms  of  darkness  must  affright 

The  sickly  world,  hast'ning  to  that  long  night 

Where  it  must  end.     If  there  no  Portents  are, 

No  black  eclipses  for  the  Kalendar,  50 

Our  times  sad  Annals  will  remembred  be 

Ith'loss  of  bright  Northumberland  and  Thee: 

Two  Starres  of  Court,  who  in  one  fatal  year 

By  most  untimely  set  dropt  from  their  Sphear, 

Shee  in  the  winter  took  her  flight,  and  soon  55 

As  her  perfections  reach't  the  point  of  Noon, 

Wrapt  in  a  cloud,  contracted  her  wisht  stay 

Unto  the  measure  of  a  short-liv'd  day. 

But  Thou  in  Summer,  like  an  early  Rose 

By  Deaths  cold  hand  nipp'd  as  Thou  didst  disclose,         60 

Took'st  a  long  day  to  run  that  narrow  stage, 

Which  in  two  gasping  minutes  summ'd  thy  age, 

And,  as  the  fading  Rose,  when  the  leaves  shed 

Lies  in  its  native  sweetness  buried, 

Thou  in  thy  vertues  bedded  and  inherst  65 

Sleep'st  with  those  odours  thy  pure  fame  disperst. 

Where  till  that  Rising  Morn  thou  must  remain, 

In  which  thy  wither'd  flowres  shall  spring  again. 

And  greater  beauties  thy  wak't  body  vest 

Then  were  at  thy  departure  here  possest.  70 

So  with  full  eyes  we  close  thy  vault.    Content 
(With  what  thy  loss  bequeaths  us)  to  lament. 
And  make  that  use  of  thy  griev'd  funerall. 
As  of  a  Chrystall  broken  in  the  fall ; 


[77] 


POEMS 

Whose  pitti'd  fractures  gather'd  up,  and  set,  75 

May  smaller  Mirrours  for  Thy  Sex  beget; 
There  let  them  view  themselves,  untill  they  see 
The  end  of  all  their  glories  shew'n  in  Thee. 

Whil'st  in  the  truth  of  this  sad  tribute,  I 
Thus  strive  to  Canonize  thy  Memory.  80 

AN  ELEGY 

Upon  Mrs.  Kirk  unfortunately  drowned  in 
Thames. 

For  all  the  Ship-wracks,  and  the  liquid  graves 
Lost  men  have  gain'd  within  the  furrow'd  waves, 
The  Sea  hath  fin'd  and  for  our  wrongs  paid  use, 
When  its  wrought  foam  a  Venus  did  produce. 

But  what  repair  wilt  thou  unhappy  Thames  5 

Afford  our  losse?  thy  dull  unactive  streames 
Can  no  new  beauty  raise,  nor  yet  restore 
Her  who  by  thee  was  ravisht  from  our  shore-: 
Whose  death  hath  stain'd  the  glory  of  thy  flood, 
And  mixt  the  guilty  Channel  with  her  blood.  10 

O  Neptune!  was  thy  favour  onely  writ 
In  that  loose  Element  where  thou  dost  sit  ? 
That  after  all  this  time  thou  should'st  repent 
Thy  fairest  blessing  to  the  Continent? 
Say,  what  could  urge  this  Fate?  is  Thetis  dead,  15 

Or  Amphitrite  from  thy  wet  armes  fled? 

[78] 


AN  ELEGY 


Was't  thou  so  poor  in  Nymphs,  that  thy  moist  love 

Must  be  maintain'd  with  pensions  from  above? 

If  none  of  these,  but  that  whil'st  thou  did'st  sleep 

Upon  thy  sandy  pillow  in  the  deep,  20 

This  mischief  stole  upon  us:  may  our  grief 

Waken  thy  just  revenge  on  that  slie  thief, 

Who  in  thy  fluid  Empire  without  leave. 

And  unsuspected,  durst  her  life  bereave. 

Henceforth  invert  thy  order,  and  provide  25 

In  gentlest  floods  a  Pilot  for  our  guide. 

Let  rugged  Seas  be  lov'd,  but  the  Brooks  smile 

Shunn'd  like  the  courtship  of  a  Crocodile; 

And  where  the  Current  doth  most  smoothly  pass, 

Think  for  her  sake  that  stream  deaths  Looking-glass,    30 

To  shew  us  our  destruction  is  most  neer. 

When  pleasure  hath  begot  least  sense  of  fear. 

Else  break  thy  forked  Scepter  'gainst  some  Rock, 
If  thou  endure  a  flatt'ring  calm  to  mock 
Thy  far-fam'd  pow'r,  and  violate  that  law  35 

Which  keeps  the  angry  Ocean  in  aw. 
Thy  Trident  will  grow  useless,  which  doth  still 
Wild  tempests,  if  thou  let  tame  rivers  kill. 

Mean  time  we  ow  thee  nothing.    Our  first  debt 
Lies  cancell'd  in  thy  watry  Cabinet.  40 

We  have  for  Her  thou  sent'st  us  from  the  Main, 
Return'd  a  Venus  back  to  thee  again. 

[79] 


POEMS 

AN  ELEGY 

Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Edward  Holt. 

Whether  thy  Fathers,  or  diseases  rage, 

More  mortal  prov'd  to  thy  unhappy  age. 

Our  sorrow  needs  not  question;  since  the  first 

Is  known  for  length  and  sharpness  much  the  worst. 

Thy  Feaver  yet  was  kind ;  which  the  ninth  day  5 

For  thy  misfortunes  made  an  easie  way. 

When  th'other  barbarous  and  Hectick  fit, 

In  nineteen  winters  did  not  intermit. 

I  therefore  vainly  now  not  ask  thee  why 
Thou  didst  so  soon  in  thy  Youths  mid-way  dy:  10 

But  in  my  sence  the  greater  wonder  make 
Thy  long  oppressed  heart  no  sooner  brake. 
Of  force  must  the  neglected  blossom  fall 
When  the  tough  root  becomes  unnaturall, 
And  to  his  branches  doth  that  sap  deny,  15 

Which  them  with  life  and  verdure  should  supply. 
For  Parents  shame,  let  it  forgotten  be. 
And  may  the  sad  example  die  with  thee. 

It  is  not  now  thy  grieved  friends  intent 
To  render  thee  dull  Pities  argument.  20 

Thou  hast  a  bolder  title  unto  fame. 
And  at  Edge-Hill  thou  didst  make  good  the  claime; 
When  in  thy  Royal  Masters  Cause  and  Warre 
Thy  ventur'd  life  brought  off  a  noble  skarre. 
Nor  did  thy  faithful  services  desist  25 

Till  death  untimely  strook  thee  from  the  List. 

[80] 


TO  MY  DEAD  FRIEND  BEN:  JOHNSON 


Though  in  that  prouder  vault  then,  which  doth  tomb 
Thy  ancestors,  thy  body  find  not  room, 
Thine  own  deserts  have  purchas'd  thee  a  place, 
Which  more  renowned  is  then  all  thy  race ;  30 

For  in  this  earth  thou  dost  ennobled  ly 
With  marks  of  Valour  and  of  Loyalty. 

To  my  dead  friend  Ben:  Johnson. 

I  see  that  wreath  which  doth  the  wearer  arm 

'Gainst  the  quick  strokes  of  thunder,  is  no  charm 

To  keep  off  deaths  pale  dart.    For,  Johnson  then 

Thou  hadst  been  number'd  still  with  living  men. 

Times  sithe  had  fear'd  thy  Lawrel  to  invade,  5 

Nor  thee  this  subject  of  our  sorrow  made. 

Amongst  those  many  votaries  who  come 
To  offer  up  their  Garlands  at  thy  Tombe ; 
Whil'st  some  more  lofty  pens  in  their  bright  verse 
(Like  glorious  Tapers  flaming  on  thy  herse)  10 

Shall  light  the  dull  and  thankless  world  to  see. 
How  great  a  maim  it  suffers  wanting  thee ; 
Let  not  thy  learned  shadow  scorn,  that  I 
Pay  meaner  Rites  unto  thy  memory  ; 

And  since  I  nought  can  adde,  but  in  desire  15 

Restore  some  sparks  which  leapt  from  thine  own  fire. 

What  ends  soever  others  quills  invite, 
I  can  protest,  it  was  no  itch  to  write. 
Nor  any  vain  ambition  to  be  read, 
But  meerly  Love  and  Justice  to  the  dead  20 

[81] 


POEMS 

Which  rais'd  my  fameless  Muse ;  and  caus'd  her  bring 
These  drops,  as  tribute  thrown  into  that  spring, 
To  whose  most  rich  and  fruitful  head  we  ow 
The  purest  streams  of  language  which  can  flow. 

For  'tis  but  truth,  thou  taught'st  the  ruder  age  25 

To  speake  by  Grammar,  and  reform'dst  the  Stage: 
Thy  Comick  Sock  induc'd  such  purged  sence, 
A  Lucrece  might  have  heard  without  ojEfence. 
Amongst  those  soaring  wits  that  did  dilate 
Our  English,  and  advance  it  to  the  rate  30 

And  value  it  now  holds,  thy  self  was  one 
Helpt  lift  it  up  to  such  proportion. 
That  thus  refin'd  and  roab'd,  it  shall  not  spare 
With  the  full  Greek  or  Latine  to  compare. 
For  what  tongue  ever  durst,  but  ours,  translate  35 

Great  Tully's  Eloquence,  or  Homers  State? 
Both  which  in  their  unblemisht  lustre  shine. 
From  Chapmans  pen,  and  from  thy  Catiline. 
All  I  would  ask  for  thee,  in  recompence 
Of  thy  successful  toyl  and  times  expence,  40 

Is  onely  this  poor  Boon :  that  those  who  can 
Perhaps  read  French ^  or  talk  Italian, 
Or  do  the  lofty  Spaniard  affect ; 
To  shew  their  skill  in  Forrein  Dialect, 
Prove  not  themselves  so  unnaturally  wise,  45 

They  therefore  should  their  Alother-tongue  despise. 
(As  if  her  Poets  both  for  style  and  wit 
Not  equall'd,  or  not  pass'd  their  best  that  writ) 


[82] 


UPON  PRINCE  HENRY'S  DEATH 


Untill  by  studying  Johnson  they  have  known 

The  height  and  strength  and  plenty  of  their  own.  50 

Thus  in  what  low  earth  or  neglected  room 
Soere  thou  sleep'st,  thy  book  shall  be  thy  tomb. 
Thou  wilt  go  down  a  happy  Coarse,  bestrew'd 
With  thine  own  Flowres;  and  feel  thy  self  renew'd, 
Whil'st  thy  immortal  never-with'ring  Bayes  55 

Shall  yearly  flourish  in  thy  Readers  praise. 
And  when  more  spreading  Titles  are  forgot, 
Or  spight  of  all  their  Lead  and  Sear-cloth  rot, 
Thou  wrapt  and  Shrin'd  in  thine  own  sheets,  wilt  ly 
A  Relick  fam'd  by  all  Posterity.  60 


AN  ELEGY 

Upon  Prince  Henry's  death. 

Keep  station  Nature,  and  rest  Heaven  sure 

On  thy  supporters  shoulders,  lest  past  cure. 

Thou  dasht  in  ruine  fall  by  a  griefs  weight 

Will  make  thy  basis  shrink,  and  lay  thy  height 

Low  as  the  Center.    Heark !  and  feel  it  read  5 

Through  the  astonisht  Kingdom,  Henry's  dead. 

It  is  enough ;  who  seeks  to  aggravate 

One  strain  beyond  this,  prove  more  sharp  his  fate 

Then  sad  our  doom.    The  world  dares  not  survive 

To  parallel  this  woes  superlative.  10 

O  killing  Rhetorick  of  Death !  two  words 

Breathe  stronger  terrours  then  Plague,  Fire,  or  Swords 

[83] 


POEMS 

Ere  conquer'd.    This  were  Epitaph  and  Verse 

Worthy  to  be  prefixt  in  Natures  herse, 

Or  Earths  sad  dissolution;  whose  fall  15 

Will  be  less  grievous  though  more  generall : 

For  all  the  woe  ruine  ere  buried, 

Sounds  in  these  fatal  accents,  Henry's  dead. 

Cease  then  unable  Poetry,  thy  phrase 

Is  weak  and  dull  to  strike  us  with  amaze  20 

Worthy  thy  vaster  subject.     Let  none  dare 

To  coppy  this  sad  hap,  but  with  despair 

Hanging  at  his  quills  point.     For  not  a  stream 

Of  Ink  can  write  much  less  improve  this  Theam. 

Invention  highest  wrought  by  grief  or  wit  25 

Must  sink  with  him,  and  on  his  Tomb-stone  split. 

Who,  like  the  dying  Sun,  tells  us  the  light 

And  glory  of  our  Day  set  in  his  Night. 


AN  ELEGY 

Upon  S.  W.  R. 

I  will  not  weep,  for  'twere  as  great  a  sin 
To  shed  a  tear  for  thee,  as  to  have  bin 
An  Actor  in  thy  death.    Thy  life  and  age 
Was  but  a  various  Scene  on  fortunes  Stage, 
With  whom  thou  tugg'st  &  strov'st  ev'n  out  of  breath 
In  thy  long  toil:  nere  master'd  till  thy  death; 
And  then  despight  of  trains  and  cruell  wit, 
Thou  did'st  at  once  subdue  malice  and  it. 

[84] 


UPON  THE  L.  BISHOP  OF  LONDON 


I  dare  not  then  so  blast  thy  memory 
As  say  I  do  lament  or  pity  thee.  10 

Were  I  to  choose  a  subject  to  bestow 
My  pity  on,  he  should  be  one  as  low 
In  spirit  as  desert.    That  durst  not  dy 
But  rather  were  content  by  slavery 

To  purchase  life:  or  I  would  pity  those  15 

Thy  most  industrious  and  friendly  foes: 
Who  when  they  thought  to  make  thee  scandals  story 
I^nt  thee  a  swifter  flight  to  Heav'n  and  glory. 
That  thought  by  cutting  off  some  wither'd  dayes, 
(Which  thou  could 'st  spare  them)  to  eclipse  thy  praise ;  20 
Yet  gave  it  brighter  foil,  made  thy  ag'd  fame 
Appear  more  white  and  fair,  then  foul  their  shame : 
And  did  promote  an  Execution 
Which  (but  for  them)  Nature  and  Age  had  done. 

Such  worthless  things  as  these  were  onely  born  25 

To  live  on  Pities  almes  (too  mean  for  scorn.) 
Thou  dy'dst  an  envious  wonder,  whose  high  fate 
The  world  must  still  admire,  scarce  imitate. 

AN  ELEGY 

Upon  the  L.  Bishop  of  London 
John  King. 

Sad  Relick  of  a  blessed  Soul !  whose  trust 
We  sealed  up  in  this  religious  dust. 
O  do  not  thy  low  Exequies  suspect 
As  the  cheap  arguments  of  our  neglect. 

[85] 


POEMS 

'Twas  a  commanded  duty  that  thy  grave  5 

As  little  pride  as  thou  thy  self  should  have. 

Therefore  thy  covering  is  an  humble  stone, 
And  but  a  word  for  thy  inscription. 
When  those  that  in  the  same  earth  neighbour  thee, 
Have  each  his  Chronicle  and  Pedigree :  10 

They  have  their  waving  pennons  and  their  flagges, 
(Of  Matches  and  Alliance  formal  bragges.) 
When  thou  (although  from  Ancestors  thou  came 
Old  as  the  Heptarchy,  great  as  thy  Name) 
Sleep'st  there  inshrin'd  in  thy  admired  parts,  15 

And  hast  no  Heraldry  but  thy  deserts. 
Yet  let  not  Them  their  prouder  Marbles  boast. 
For  They  rest  with  less  honour,  though  more  cost. 

Go,  search  the  world,  and  with  your  Mattox  wound 
The  groaning  bosom  of  the  patient  ground :  20 

Digge  from  the  hidden  veins  of  her  dark  womb 
All  that  is  rare  and  precious  for  a  tomb : 
Yet  when  much  treasure,  and  more  time  is  spent 
You  must  grant  His  the  nobler  Monument. 

Whose  Faith  stands  ore  Him  for  a  Hearse,  and  hath    25 
The  Resurrection  for  His  Epitaph. 


Upon  the  death  of  my  ever  desired  friend 
Doctor  Donne  Dean  of  Pauls. 

To  have  liv'd  eminent  in  a  degreee 
Beyond  our  lofty 'st  flights,  that  is  like  thee; 

[86] 


UPON  THE  DEATH  OF  MY  FRIEND 

Or  t'have  had  too  much  merit  is  not  safe ; 

For  such  excesses  find  no  Epitaph. 

At  common  graves  we  have  Poetick  e3'es  5 

Can  melt  themselves  in  easie  Elegies; 

Each  quill  can  drop  his  tributary  verse, 

And  pin  it  w^ith  the  Hatchments,  to  the  Herse : 

But  at  thine,  Poem  or  inscription 

(Rich  Soul  of  wit  and  language:)  we  have  none;        10 

Indeed  a  silence  does  that  Tomb  befit 

Where  is  no  Herald  left  to  blazon  it. 

Widdow'd  invention  justly  doth  forbear 

To  come  abroad  knowing  thou  art  not  here, 

Late  her  great  Patron ;  whose  prerogative  15 

Maintain'd  and  cloth'd  her  so,  as  none  alive 

Must  now  presume  to  keep  her  at  thy  rate, 

Though  he  the  Indies  for  her  dowre  estate: 

Or  else  that  awful  fire,  which  once  did  burn 

In  thy  clear  brain,  now  fall'n  into  thy  Urn.  20 

Lives  there  to  fright  rude  Empericks  from  thence, 

Which  might  profane  thee  by  their  ignorance: 

Who  ever  writes  of  thee,  and  in  a  style 

Unworthy  such  a  Theme,  does  but  revile 

Thy  precious  dust,  and  wake  a  learned  spirit  25 

Which  may  revenge  his  rapes  upon  thy  merit. 

For  all  a  low-pitcht  fancie  can  devise. 

Will  prove  at  best  but  hallow'd  injuries. 

Thou,  like  the  dying  Swan,  didst  lately  sing 
Thy  mournful  Dirge  in  audience  of  the  King;  30 

[87] 


POEMS 

When  pale  looks,  and  faint  accents  of  thy  breath, 

Presented  so  to  life  that  piece  of  death, 

That  it  was  fear'd  and  prophesi'd  by  all 

Thou  thither  cam'st  to  preach  thy  Funerall. 

O!  hadst  thou  in  an  Elegiack  knell  35 

Rung  out  unto  the  world  thine  own  farewell; 

And  in  thy  high  victorious  numbers  beat 

The  solemn  measure  of  thy  griev'd  retreat : 

Thou  might'st  the  Poets  service  now  have  mist, 

As  well  as  then  thou  didst  prevent  the  Priest:  40 

And  never  to  the  world  beholden  be, 

So  much  as  for  an  Epitaph  for  thee. 

I  do  not  like  the  office.     Nor  is't  fit 
Thou,  who  didst  lend  our  age  such  summes  of  wit, 
Should'st  now  reborrow  from  her  Bankrupt  Mine      45 
That  Ore  to  bury  thee,  which  once  was  thine. 
Rather  still  leave  us  in  thy  debt;  and  know 
(Exalted  Soul!)  More  glory  'tis  to  ow 
Unto  thy  Herse  what  we  can  never  pay, 
Then  with  embased  coin  those  Rites  dtiray.  50 

Commit  we  then  Thee  to  Thy  self :  nor  blame 
Our  drooping  loves,  which  thus  to  thine  own  fame 
Leave  Thee  Executour :  since  but  thy  own 
No  pen  could  do  Thee  Justice,  nor  Bayes  crown 
Thy  vast  desert ;  save  that  we  nothing  can  55 

Depute  to  be  thy  ashes  Guardian. 

So  Jewellers  no  Art  or  Metal  trust 

To  form  the  Diamond,  but  the  Diamonds  dust. 

[88] 


THE  MOST  VICTORIOUS  KING  OF  SWEDEN 


AN  ELEGY 

Upon  the  most  victorious  King  of  Sweden 
Gustavus  Adolphus. 

Like  a  cold  fatal  sweat  which  ushers  death 

My  thoughts  hang  on  me,  &  my  lab'ring  breath 

Stopt  up  with  sighs,  my  fancie  big  with  woes, 

Feels  two  twinn'd  mountains  struggle  in  her  throws, 

Of  boundless  sorrow  one,  t'other  of  sin ;  5 

For  less  let  no  one  rate  it  to  begin 

Where  honour  ends.     In  Great  Gustavus  flame 

That  style  burnt  out,  and  wasted  to  a  name. 

Does  barely  live  with  us.    As  when  the  stuff 

That  fed  it  failes,  the  Taper  turns  to  snuff.  10 

With  this  poor  snuff,  this  ayerie  shadow,  we 

Of  Fame  and  Honour  must  contented  be; 

Since  from  the  vain  grasp  of  our  wishes  fled 

Their  glorious  substance  is,  now  He  is  dead. 

Speak  it  again,  and  louder,  louder  yet;  15 

Else  whil'st  we  hear  the  sound  we  shall  forget 
What  it  delivers.     Let  hoarse  rumor  cry 
Till  she  so  many  ecchoes  multiply, 
Those  may  like  num'rous  witnesses  confute 
Our  unbelieving  soules,  that  would  dispute  20 

And  doubt  this  truth  for  ever.    This  one  way 
Is  left  our  incredulity  to  sway; 
To  waken  our  deaf  sense,  and  make  our  ears 
As  open  and  dilated  as  our  fears ; 

[89] 


POEMS 

That  we  may  feel  the  blow,  and  feeling  grieve,  25 

At  what  we  would  not  feign,  but  must  believe. 

And  in  that  horrid  faith  behold  the  world 

From  her  proud  height  of  expectation  hurl'd, 

Stooping  with  him,  as  if  she  strove  to  have 

No  lower  Center  now  then  Swedens  grave.  30 

O  could  not  all  thy  purchas'd  victories 
Like  to  thy  Fame  thy  Flesh  immortalize? 
Were  not  thy  vertue  nor  thy  valour  charmes 
To  guard  thy  body  from  those  outward  harmes 
Which  could  not  reach  thy  soul  ?  could  not  thy  spirit         35 
Lend  somewhat  which  thy  frailty  might  inherit 
From  thy  diviner  part,  that  Death  nor  Hate 
Nor  envy's  bullets  ere  could  penetrate? 
Could  not  thy  early  Trophies  in  stern  fight 
Torn  from  the  Dane,  the  Pole,  the  Moscovitef  40 

Which  were  thy  triumphs  seeds,  as  pledges  sown, 
That  when  thy  honours  harvest  was  ripe  grown. 
With  full-summ'd  wing  thou  Falcon-like  wouldst  fly 
And  cuff  the  Eagle  in  the  German  sky: 
Forcing  his  iron  beak  and  feathers  feel  45 

They  were  not  proof  'gainst  thy  victorious  steel. 
Could  not  all  these  protect  thee?  or  prevaile 
To  fright  that  Coward  Death,  who  oft  grew  pale 
To  look  thee  and  thy  battails  in  the  face  ? 
Alas  they  could  not :  Destiny  gives  place  50 

To  none ;  nor  is  it  seen  that  Princes  lives 
Can  saved  be  by  their  prerogatives. 


[90] 


THE  MOST  VICTORIOUS  KING  OF  SWEDEN 

No  more  was  thine ;  who  clos'd  in  thy  cold  lead, 

Dost  from  thy  self  a  mournful  lecture  read 

Of  Mans  short-dated  glory:  learn  you  Kings,  55 

You  are  like  him  but  penetrable  things ; 

Though  you  from  Demi-Gods  derive  your  birth, 

You  are  at  best  but  honourable  earth: 

And  howere  sifted  from  that  courser  bran 

Which  does  compound  and  knead  the  common  man,        60 

Nothing's  immortal  or  from  earth  refin'd 

About  you,  but  your  Office  and  your  Mind. 

Here  then  break  your  false  Glasses,  which  present 

You  greater  then  your  Maker  ever  meant : 

Make  truth  your  Mirrour  now,  since  you  find  all  65 

That  flatter  you  confuted  by  his  fall. 

Yet  since  it  was  decreed  thy  Hfes  bright  Sun 
Must  be  eclips'd  ere  thy  full  course  was  run, 
Be  proud  thou  didst  in  thy  black  Obsequies 
With  greater  glory  set  then  others  rise.  70 

For  in  thy  death,  as  life,  thou  heldest  one 
Most  just  and  regular  proportion. 
Look  how  the  Circles  drawn  by  Compass  meet 
Indivisibly  joyned  head  to  feet, 

And  by  continued  points  which  them  unite  75 

Grow  at  once  Circular  and  Infinite : 
So  did  thy  Fate  and  honour  now  contend 
To  match  thy  brave  beginning  with  thy  end. 
Therefore  thou  hadst  instead  of  Passing  bells 
The  Drums  and  Cannons  thunder  for  thy  knells;  80 


[91] 


POEMS 


And  in  the  Field  thou  did'st  triumphing  dy, 

Closing  thy  eye-lids  with  a  victory : 

That  so  by  thousands  who  there  lost  their  breath 

King-like  thou  might'st  be  waited  on  in  death. 

Liv'd  Plutarch  now,  and  would  of  Caesar  tell,  85 

He  could  make  none  but  Thee  his  parallel; 

Whose  tide  of  glory  swelling  to  the  brim 

Needs  borrow  no  addition  from  Hirn. 

When  did  great  Julius  in  any  Clime 

Atchieve  so  much  and  in  so  small  a  time?  90 

Or  if  he  did,  yet  shalt  Thou  in  that  land 

Single  for  him  and  unexampled  stand. 

When  ore  the  Germans  first  his  Eagle  towr'd 

What  saw  the  Legions  which  on  them  he  pour'd? 

But  massie  bodies,  made  their  swords  to  try  95 

Subjects  not  for  his  fight,  but  slavery. 

In  that  so  vast  expanded  peece  of  ground 

(Now  Swedens  Theater  and  Tomb)  he  found 

Nothing  worth  Caesars  valour,  or  his  fear, 

No  conqu'ring  Army,  nor  a  Tilley  there,  100 

Whose  strength  nor  wiles,  nor  practice  in  the  warre 

Might  the  fierce  Torrent  of  thy  triumphs  barre. 

But  that  thy  winged  sword  twice  made  him  yield. 

Both  from  his  trenches  beat,  and  from  the  field. 

Besides  the  Romane  thought  he  had  done  much  105 

Did  he  the  bank  of  Rhenus  onely  touch. 
But  though  his  march  was  bounded  by  the  Rhine 
Not  Oder  nor  the  Danube  Thee  confine; 


[92] 


THE  MOST  VICTORIOUS  KING  OF  SWEDEN 

And  but  thy  frailty  did  thy  fame  prevent, 

Thou  hadst  thy  conquests  strecht  to  such  extent,  110 

Thou  might'st  Vienna  reach,  and  after  span 

From  Mulda  to  the  Baltick  Ocean. 

But  death  hath  spann'd  thee:  nor  must  we  divine 
What  heir  thou  leav'st  to  finish  thy  design, 
Or  who  shall  thee  succeed  as  Champion  115 

For  liberty  and  for  religion. 

Thy  task  is  done ;  as  in  a  Watch  the  spring 
Wound  to  the  height,  relaxes  with  the  string: 
So  thy  steel  nerves  of  conquest,  from  their  steep 
Ascent  declin'd,  lie  slackt  in  thy  last  sleep.  120 

Rest  then  triumphant  soul !  for  ever  rest ! 
And,  like  the  Phoenix  in  her  spicy  nest, 
Embalm'd  with  thine  own  merit,  upward  fly. 
Born  in  a  cloud  of  perfume  to  the  sky. 
Whil'st,  as  in  deathless  Urnes,  each  noble  mind  125 

Treasures  thy  ashes  which  are  left  behind. 

And  if  perhaps  no  Cassiopeian  spark 
(Which  in  the  North  did  thy  first  rising  mark) 
Shine  ore  thy  Herse:  the  breath  of  our  just  praise 
Shall  to  the  Firmament  thy  vertues  raise;  130 

Then  fix,  and  kindle  them  into  a  Starre, 
Whose  influence  may  crown  thy  glorious  warre. 

.   .  .  .  O  Fama  ingens  ingentior  armis 

Rex  Gustave,  quibus  Coelo  te  laudibus  aequemf 

Virgil.  Aeneid.  lib.  2. 

[93] 


POEMS 

To  my  Noble  and  Judicious  Friend 

Sir  Henry  Blount  upon  his 

Voyage. 

Sir,  I  must  ever  own  my  self  to  be 

Possest  with  humane  curiositie 

Of  seeing  all  that  might  the  sense  invite 

By  those  two  baits  of  profit  and  delight: 

And  since  I  had  the  wit  to  understand  5 

The  terms  of  Native  or  of  forreign  land ; 

I  have  had  strong  and  oft  desires  to  tread 

Some  of  those  voyages  which  I  have  read. 

Yet  still  so  fruitless  have  my  wishes  prov'd, 

That  from  my  Countreys  smoke  I  never  mov'd:  10 

Nor  ever  had  the  fortune  (though  design'd) 

To  satisfie  the  wandrings  of  my  mind. 

Therefore  at  last  I  did  with  some  content, 

Beguile  my  self  in  time,  which  others  spent ; 

Whose  art  to  Provinces  small  lines  allots,  15 

And  represents  large  Kingdcmes  but  in  spots. 

Thus  by  Ortelius  and  Mercators  aid 

Through  most  of  the  discover'd  world  I  strai'd. 

I  could  with  ease  double  the  Southern  Cape, 

And  in  my  passage  A  jf  ricks  wonders  take :  20 

Then  with  a  speed  proportion'd  to  the  Scale 

Northward  again,  as  high  as  Zemla  sayl. 

Oft  hath  the  travel  of  my  eye  outrun 

(Though  I  sat  still)  the  journey  of  the  Sun: 

Yet  made  an  end,  ere  his  declining  beams  25 

Did  nightly  quench  themselves  in  Thetis  streams. 

[94] 


TO  SIR  HENRY  BLOUNT  UPON  HIS  VOYAGE 

Oft  have  I  gone  through  Aegypt  in  a  day, 

Not  hinder'd  by  the  droughts  of  Lybia; 

In  which,  for  lack  of  water  tides  of  sand 

By  a  dry  deluge  overflow  the  land.  30 

There  I  the  Pyramids  and  Cairo  see, 

Still  famous  for  the  warres  of  Tomombee, 

And  its  own  greatness ;  whose  immured  fence 

Takes  fourty  miles  in  the  circumference. 

Then  without  guide,  or  stronger  Caravan  35 

Which  might  secure  the  wild  Arabian, 

Back  through  the  scorched  Desarts  pass,  to  seek 

Once  the  worlds  Lord,  now  the  beslaved  Greek, 

Made  by  a  Turkish  j'oak  and  fortunes  hate 

In  language  as  in  mind,  degenerate.  40 

And  here  all  wrapt  in  pity  and  amaze 
I  stand,  whil'st  I  upon  the  Sultan  gaze ; 
To  think  how  he  with  pride  and  rapine  fir'd 
So  vast  a  Territory  hath  acquir'd ; 

And  by  what  daring  steps  he  did  become  45 

The  Asian  fear,  and  scourge  of  Christendome : 
How  he  atchiev'd,  and  kept,  and  by  what  arts 
He  did  concenter  those  divided  parts ; 
And  how  he  holds  that  monstrous  bulk  in  aw, 
By  setled  rules  of  tyrannic,  not  Law ;  50 

So  Rivers  large  and  rapid  streams  began, 
Swelling  from  drops  into  an  Ocean. 

Sure  who  ere  shall  the  just  extraction  bring 
Of  this  Gigantick  power  from  the  spring; 

[95] 


POEMS 

Must  there  confess  a  higher  Ordinance  55 

Did  it  for  terrour  to  the  earth  advance. 

For  mark  how  'mongst  a  lawless  straggling  crew 

Made  up  of  Arab,  Saracen,  and  Jew, 

The  worlds  disturber,  faithless  Mahomet 

Did  by  Impostures  an  opinion  get:  60 

O're  whom  he  first  usurps  as  Prince,  and  than 

As  Prophet  does  obtrude  his  Alcoran. 

Next,  how  fierce  Ottoman  his  claim  made  good 

From  that  unblest  Religion,  by  blood ; 

Whil'st  he  the  Eastern  Kingdomes  did  deface,  65 

To  make  their  ruine  his  proud  Empires  base. 

Then  like  a  Comet  blazing  in  the  skies. 

How  Death-portending  Amurath  did  rise, 

When  he  his  horned  Crescents  did  display 

Upon  the  fatal  Plains  of  Servia;  70 

And  farther  still  his  sanguin  tresses  spread, 

Till  Oroya  Life  and  Conquests  limited. 

Lastly,  how  Mahomet  thence  styl'd  the  Great, 

Made  Oonstantines  his  own  Imperial  Seat; 

After  that  he  in  one  victorious  bond  75 

Two  Empires  graspt,  of  Greece  and  Trabezond. 

This,  and  much  more  then  this,  I  gladly  read, 
Where  my  relators  it  had  storyed ; 
Besides  that  Peoples  Manners  and  their  Rites, 
Their  warlike  discipline  and  order'd  fights;  80 

Their  desp'rate  valour,  hardned  by  the  sence 
Of  unavoided  Fate  and  Providence : 

[96] 


TO  SIR  HENRY  BLOUNT  UPON  HIS  VOYAGE 


Their  habit,  and  their  houses,  who  confer 

Less  cost  on  them  then  on  their  Sepulchre: 

Their  frequent  washings,  and  the  several  Bath  85 

Each  Meschit  to  it  self  annexed  hath: 

What  honour  they  unto  the  Alufty  give. 

What  to  the  Soveraign  under  whom  they  live : 

What  quarter  Christians  have;  how  just  and  free 

To  inoffensive  Travellers  they  be :  90 

Though  I  confess,  like  stomacks  fed  with  news, 

I  took  them  in  for  wonder,  not  for  use, 

Till  your  experienc'd  and  authentick  pen 

Taught  me  to  know  the  places  and  the  men; 

And  made  all  those  suspected  truths  become  95 

Undoubted  now,  and  cleer  as  Axiom. 

Sir,  for  this  work  more  then  my  thanks  is  due ; 
I  am  at  once  inform'd  and  cur'd  by  you. 
So  that,  were  I  assur'd  I  should  live  o're 
My  periods  of  time  run  out  before;  100 

Nere  needed  my  erratick  wish  transport 
Me  from  my  Native  lists  to  that  resort, 
Where  many  at  outlandish  Marts  unlade 
Ingenuous  manners,  and  do  onely  trade 
For  vices  and  the  language.    By  your  eyes  105 

I  here  have  made  my  full  discoveries; 
And  all  your  Countreys  so  exactly  seen. 
As  in  the  voyage  I  had  sharer  been. 
By  this  you  make  me  so ;  and  the  whole  land 
Your  debtour :  which  can  onely  understand  110 

[97] 


POEMS 


How  much  she  owes  j'ou,  when  her  sons  shall  try 

The  solid  depths  of  your  rare  history, 

Which  looks  above  our  gadders  trivial  reach, 

The  Common  Place  of  travellers,  who  teach 

But  Table-talk;  and  seldomly  aspire  115 

Beyond  the  Countres  Dyet  or  Attire; 

Whereas  j'our  piercing  judgement  does  relate 

The  Policy  and  Manage  of  each  State. 

And  since  she  must  here  without  envy  grant 

That  you  have  further  journey'd  the  Levant  120 

Then  any  noble  spirit  by  her  bred 

Hath  in  your  way  as  yet  adventured; 

I  cannot  less  in  justice  from  her  look, 

Then  that  she  henceforth  Canonize  your  book 

A  Rule  to  all  her  travellers,  and  you  125 

The  brave  example ;  from  whose  equal  view 

Each  knowing  Reader  may  himself  direct. 

How  he  may  go  abroad  to  some  effect. 

And  not  for  form:  what  distance  and  what  trust 

In  those  remoter  parts  observe  he  must:  130 

How  he  with  jealous  people  may  converse, 

Yet  take  no  hurt  himself  by  that  commerce. 

So  when  he  shall  imbark'd  in  dangers  be. 

Which  wit  and  wary  caution  not  foresee; 

If  he  partake  your  valour  and  your  brain,  135 

He  may  perhaps  come  safely  off  again, 

As  you  have  done ;  though  not  so  richly  fraught 

As  this  return  hath  to  our  Staple  brought. 

[98] 


TO  MY  FRIEND,  MR.  GEORGE  SANDYS 

I  know  your  modesty  shuns  vulgar  praise, 
And  I  have  none  to  bring:  but  onely  raise  140 

This  monument  of  Honour  and  of  Love, 
Which  your  long  known  deserts  so  far  improve. 
They  leave  me  doubtfuU  in  what  style  to  end, 
Whether  more  your  admirer  or  your  friend. 


To  my  honoured  Friend  Mr.  George 
Sandys. 

It  is,  Sir,  a  confest  intrusion  here 

That  I  before  your  labours  do  appear, 

Which  no  loud  Herald  need,  that  may  proclaim 

Or  seek  acceptance,  but  the  Authors  fame. 

Much  less  that  should  this  happy  work  commend,  5 

Whose  subject  is  its  licence,  and  doth  send 

It  to  the  world  to  be  receiv'd  and  read. 

Far  as  the  glorious  beams  of  truth  are  spread. 

Nor  let  it  be  imagin'd  that  I  look 
Onely  with  Customes  eye  upon  your  book;  10 

Or  in  this  service  that  'twas  my  intent 
T'exclude  your  person  from  your  argument: 
I  shall  profess  much  of  the  love  I  ow, 
Doth  from  the  root  of  our  extraction  grow; 
To  which  though  I  can  little  contribute,  15 

Yet  with  a  naturall  joy  I  must  impute 
To  our  Tribes  honour,  what  by  you  is  done 
Worthy  the  title  of  a  Prelates  son. 

[99] 


POEMS 

And  scarcely  have  two  brothers  farther  borne 
A  Fathers  name,  or  with  more  value  worne  20 

Their  own,  then  two  of  you ;  whose  pens  and  feet 
Have  made  the  distant  Points  of  Heav'n  to  meet; 
He  by  exact  discoveries  of  the  West, 
Your  self  by  painful  travels  in  the  East. 

Some  more  like  you  might  pow'rfully  confute  25 

Th'opposers  of  Priests  marriage  by  the  fruit. 
And  (since  tis  known  for  all  their  streight  vow'd  life, 
They  like  the  sex  in  any  style  but  wife) 
Cause  them  to  change  their  Cloyster  for  that  State 
Which  keeps  men  chaste  by  vowes  legitimate:  30 

Nor  shame  to  father  their  relations. 
Or  under  Nephews  names  disguise  their  sons. 
This  Child  of  yours  born  without  spurious  blot, 
And  fairly  Midwiv'd  as  it  was  begot, 
Doth  so  much  of  the  Parents  goodness  wear,  35 

You  may  be  proud  to  own  it  for  your  Heir. 
Whose  choice  acquits  you  from  the  common  sin 
Of  such,  who  finish  worse  then  they  begin: 
You  mend  upon  j'our  self,  and  your  last  strain 
Does  of  your  first  the  start  in  judgment  gain;  40 

Since  what  in  curious  travel  was  begun. 
You  here  conclude  in  a  devotion. 

Where  in  delightful  raptures  we  descry 
As  in  a  Map,  Sions  CJiorography 

Laid  out  in  so  direct  and  smooth  a  line,  45 

Men  need  not  go  about  through  Palestine: 

[100] 


TO  MY  FRIEND,  MR.  GEORGE  SANDYS 


Who  seek  Christ  here  will  the  streight  Rode  prefer, 

As  neerer  much  then  by  the  Sepulchre. 

For  not  a  limb  growes  here,  but  is  a  path; 

Which  in  Gods  City  the  blest  Center  hath:  50 

And  doth  so  sweetly  on  each  passion  strike, 

The  most  fantastick  taste  will  somewhat  like. 

To  the  unquiet  soul  Job  still  from  hence 

Pleads  in  th'example  of  his  patience. 

The  mortify'd  may  hear  the  wise  King  preach,  55 

When  his  repentance  made  him  fit  to  teach. 

Nor  shall  the  singing  Sisters  be  content 

To  chant  at  home  the  Act  of  Parliament, 

Turn'd  out  of  reason  into  rhime  by  one 

Free  of  his  trade,  though  not  of  Helicon,  60 

Who  did  in  his  Poetick  zeal  contend 

Others  edition  by  a  worse  to  mend. 

Here  are  choice  Hymnes  and  CaroUs  for  the  glad, 

With  melanclioly  Dirges  for  the  sad : 

And  David  (as  he  could  his  skill  transfer)  65 

Speaks  like  himself  by  an  interpreter. 

Your  ]\Iuse  rekindled  hath  the  Prophets  fire. 

And  tun'd  the  strings  of  his  neglected  Lyre ; 

Making  the  Note  and  Ditty  so  agree. 

They  now  become  a  perfect  harmonie.  70 

I  must  confess,  I  have  long  wisht  to  see 
The  Psalmes  reduc'd  to  this  conformity: 
Grieving  the  songs  of  Sion  should  be  sung 
In  phrase  not  dif^'ring  from  a  barbarous  tongue. 

[101] 


POEMS 


As  if,  by  custome  warranted,  we  may  75 

Sing  that  to  God  we  would  be  loth  to  say. 

Far  be  it  from  my  purpose  to  upbraid 

Their  honest  meaning,  who  first  offer  made 

That  book  in  Meeter  to  compile,  which  you 

Have  mended  in  the  form,  and  built  anew :  80 

And  it  was  well,  considering  the  time, 

Which  hardly  could  distinguish  verse  and  rhime. 

But  now  the  language,  like  the  Church,  hath  won 

More  lustre  since  the  Reformation ; 

None  can  condemn  the  wish  or  labour  spent  85 

Good  matter  in  good  words  to  represent. 

Yet  in  this  jealous  age  some  such  there  be, 
So  without  cause  afraid  of  novelty. 
They  would  not  (were  it  in  their  pow'r  to  choose) 
An  old  ill  practise  for  a  better  lose.  90 

Men  who  a  rustick  plainnesse  so  affect. 
They  think  God  served  best  by  their  neglect. 
Holding  the  cause  would  be  profan'd  by  it, 
Were  they  at  charge  of  learning  or  of  wit. 
And  therefore  bluntly  (what  comes  next)  they  bring     95 
Course  and  unstudy'd  stuffs  for  offering; 
Which  like  th'old  Tabernacles  cov'ring  are. 
Made  up  of  Badgers  skins,  and  of  Goats  haire. 
But  these  are  Paradoxes  they  must  use 
Their  sloth  and  bolder  ignorance  t'excuse.  100 

Who  would  not  laugh  at  one  will  naked  go, 
'Cause  in  old  hangings  truth  is  pictur'd  so? 

[102] 


THE  WOES  OF  ESAY 


Though  plainness  be  reputed  honours  note, 

They  mantles  use  to  beautify  the  coat ; 

So  that  a  curious  (unaffected)  dress  105 

Addes  much  unto  the  bodies  comeliness: 

And  wheresoere  the  subjects  best,  the  sence 

Is  better'd  by  the  speakers  eloquence. 

But,  Sir,  to  you  I  shall  no  trophee  raise 
From  other  mens  detraction  or  dispraise:  110 

That  Jewel  never  had  inherent  worth, 
Which  askt  such  foils  as  these  to  set  it  forth. 
If  any  quarrel  your  attempt  or  style. 
Forgive  them ;  their  own  folly  they  revile. 
Since,  'gainst  themselves,  their  factious  envy  shall  115 

Allow  this  work  of  yours  Canonicall. 
Nor  may  you  fear  the  Poets  common  lot. 
Read,  and  commended,  and  then  quite  forgot: 
The  brazen  Mines  and  iVIarble  Rocks  shall  wast, 
When  your  foundation  will  unshaken  last.  120 

'Tis  fames  best  pay,  that  you  your  labours  see 
By  their  immortal  subject  crowned  be. 
For  nere  was  writer  in  oblivion  hid 
Who  firm'd  his  name  on  such  a  Pyramid. 

The  Woes  of  Esay. 

Woe  to  the  worldly  men  whose  covetous 
Ambition  labours  to  joyn  house  to  house. 
Lay  field  to  field,  till  their  inclosures  edge 
The  Plain,  girdling  a  countrey  with  one  hedge : 

[103] 


POEMS 

That  leave  no  place  unbought,  no  piece  of  earth  5 

Which  they  will  not  ingross,  making  a  dearth 
Of  all  inhabitants,  until  they  stand 
Unneighbour'd  as  unblest  within  their  land. 

This  sin  cryes  in  Gods  ear,  who  hath  decreed 
The  ground  they  sow  shall  not  return  the  seed.  10 

They  that  unpeopled  countreys  to  create 
Themselves  sole  Lords,  made  many  desolate 
To  build  up  their  own  house,  shall  find  at  last 
Ruine  and  fearful  desolation  cast 

Upon  themselves.    Their  Mansion  shall  become  15 

A  Desart,  and  their  Palace  prove  a  tombe. 
Their  vines  shall  barren  be,  their  land  yield  tares; 
Their  house  shall  have  no  dwellers,  they  no  heires. 

Woe  unto  those  that  with  the  morning  Sun 
Rise  to  drink  wine,  and  sit  till  he  have  run  20 

His  weary  course ;  not  ceasing  untill  night 
Have  quencht  their  understanding  with  the  light: 
Whose  raging  thirst,  like  fire,  will  not  be  tam'd. 
The  more  they  poure  the  more  they  are  inflam'd. 
Woe  unto  them  that  onely  mighty  are  25 

To  wage  with  wine ;  in  which  unhappy  war 
They  who  the  glory  of  the  day  have  won. 
Must  yield  them  foil'd  and  vanquisht  by  the  tun. 
Men  that  live  thus,  as  if  they  liv'd  in  jest. 
Fooling  their  time  with  Musick  and  a  feast ;  30 

That  did  exile  all  sounds  from  their  soft  ear 
But  of  the  harp,  must  this  sad  discord  hear 

[104] 


THE  WOES  OF  ESAY 


Compos'd  in  threats.    The  feet  which  measures  tread 

Shall  in  captivity  be  fettered: 

Famine  shall  scourge  them  for  their  vast  excess;  35 

And  Hell  revenge  their  monstrous  drunkenness; 

Which  hath  enlarg'd  it  self  to  swallow  such, 

Whose  throats  nere  knew  enough,  though  still  too  much. 

Woe  unto  those  that  countenance  a  sin, 
Siding  with  vice  that  it  may  credit  win.  40 

By  their  unhallow'd  vote:  that  do  benight 
The  truth  with  errour,  putting  dark  for  light,   . 
And  light  for  dark;  that  call  an  evil  good, 
And  would  by  vice  have  vertue  understood : 
That  with  their  frown  can  sowre  an  honest  cause,  45 

Or  sweeten  any  bad  by  their  applause. 
That  justify  the  wicked  for  reward  ; 
And  void  of  morall  goodness  or  regard. 
Plot  with  detraction  to  traduce  the  fame 
Of  him  whose  merit  hath  enroU'd  his  name  50 

Among  the  just.    Therefore  Gods  vengeful  ire 
Glows  on  his  people,  and  becomes  a  fire 
Whose  greedy  and  exalted  flame  shall  burn, 
Till  they  like  straw  or  chaffe  to  nothing  turn. 
Because  they  have  rebell'd  against  the  right,  55 

To  God  and  Law  perversly  opposite. 
As  Plants  which  Sun  nor  showres  did  ever  bless. 
So  shall  their  root  convert  to  rottenness ; 
And  their  successions  bud,  in  which  they  trust, 
Shall  (like  Gomorrahs  fruit)  moulder  to  dust.  60 

[105] 


POEMS 


Woe  unto  those  that  drunk  with  self-conceit, 
Value  their  own  designs  at  such  a  rate 
Which  humane  wisdome  cannot  reach ;  that  sit 
Enthron'd,  as  sole  Monopolists  of  wit: 
That  out-look  reason,  and  suppose  the  eye  65 

Of  Nature  blind  to  their  discovery, 
Whil'st  they  a  title  make  to  understand 
What  ever  secret's  bosom'd  in  the  land. 
But  God  shall  imp  their  pride,  and  let  them  see 
They  are  but  fools  in  a  sublime  degree:  70 

He  shall  bring  down  and  humble  those  proud  eyes, 
In  which  false  glasses  onely  they  lookt  wise : 
That  all  the  world  may  laugh,  and  learn  by  it, 
There  is  no  folly  to  pretended  wit. 

Woe  unto  those  that  draw  iniquity  75 

With  cords,  and  by  a  vain  security 
Lengthen  the  sinful  trace,  till  their  own  chain 
Of  many  links  form'd  by  laborious  pain, 
Do  pull  them  into  Hell ;  that  as  with  lines 
And  Cart-ropes  drag  on  their  unwilling  crimes:  80 

Who,  rather  then  they  will  commit  no  sin. 
Tempt  all  occasions  to  let  it  in. 
As  if  there  were  no  God,  who  must  exact 
The  strict  account  for  e'ry  vicious  fact ; 
Nor  judgement  after  death.     If  any  be,  85 

Let  him  make  speed  (say  they)  that  we  may  see. 
Why  is  his  work  retarded  by  delay? 
Why  doth  himself  thus  linger  on  the  way? 

[106] 


THE  WOES  OF  ESAY 


If  there  be  any  judge,  or  future  doome, 

Let  It  and  Him  with  speed  together  come.  90 

Unhappy  men,  that  challenge  and  defie 

The  coming  of  that  dreadful  Majestie! 

Better  by  much  for  you,  he  did  reverse 

His  purpos'd  sentence  on  the  Universe; 

Or  that  the  creeping  minutes  might  adjourn  95 

'■'  Those  flames  in  which  you  with  the  earth  must  burn ; 
!  That  times  revolting  hand  could  lag  the  year, 

And  so  put  back  his  day  which  is  too  near. 

Behold  his  sign's  advanc'd  like  colours  fly, 
To  tell  the  w^orld  that  his  approch  is  nigh;  100 

And  in  a  furious  march,  he's  coming  on 
Swift  as  the  raging  inundation, 
To  scowre  the  sinful  world ;  'gainst  which  is  bent 
Artillery  that  never  can  be  spent:  (darts 

Bowes  strung  with  vengeance,  and  flame-feather'd     105 
Headed  with  death,  to  wound  transgressing  hearts. 
His  Chariot  wheeles  wrapt  in  the  whirlewinds  gyre, 
His  horses  hoov'd  with  flint,  and  shod  with  fire: 
In  which  amaze  where  ere  they  fix  their  eye, 
Or  on  the  melting  earth,  or  up  on  high  1 10 

To  seek  Heavens  shrunk  lights,  nothing  shall  appear 
But  night  and  horrour  in  their  Hemisphere: 
Nor  shall  th'affrighted  sence  more  objects  know 
Then  darkned  skies  above,  and  Hell  below. 

[107] 


POEMS 


An  Essay  on  Death  and  a  Prison. 

A  Prison  is  in  all  things  like  a  grave, 

Where  we  no  better  priviledges  have 

Then  dead  men,  nor  so  good.    The  soul  once  fled 

Lives  freer  now,  then  when  she  was  cloystered 

In  walls  of  flesh ;  and  though  she  organs  want  5 

To  act  her  swift  designs,  yet  all  will  grant 

Her  faculties  more  clear,  now  separate. 

Then  if  the  same  conjunction,  which  of  late 

Did  marry  her  to  earth,  had  stood  in  force, 

Uncapable  of  death,  or  of  divorce:  10 

But  an  imprison'd  mind,  though  living,  dies. 

And  at  one  time  feels  two  captivities ; 

A  narrow  dungeon  which  her  body  holds, 

But  narrower  body  which  her  self  enfolds. 

Whil'st  I  in  prison  ly,  nothing  is  free,  15 

Nothing  enlarg'd  but  thought  and  miserie  ; 

Though  e'ry  chink  be  stopt,  the  doors  close  barr'd, 

Despight  of  walls  and  locks,  through  e'ry  ward 

These  have  their  issues  forth ;  may  take  the  aire, 

Though  not  for  health,  but  onely  to  compare  20 

How  wretched  those  men  are  who  freedom  want, 

By  such  as  never  suffer'd  a  restraint. 

In  which  unquiet  travel  could  I  find 

Ought  that  might  settle  my  distemper'd  mind, 

Or  of  some  comfort  make  discovery  25 

It  were  a  voyage  well  imploy'd :  but  I, 

Like  our  raw  travellers  that  cross  the  seas 

To  fetch  home  fashions  or  some  worse  disease, 

[108] 


AN  ESSAY  ON  DEATH  AND  A  PRISON 

Instead  of  quiet  a  new  torture  bring 

Home  t'afflict  me,  malice  and  murmuring.  30 

What  is't  I  envy  not  ?  no  dog  nor  fly 

But  my  desires  prefer,  and  wish  were  I ; 

For  they  are  free,  or  if  they  were  like  me, 

They  had  no  sense  to  know  calamitie. 

But  in  the  grave  no  sparks  of  envy  live,  35 

No  hot  comparisons  that  causes  give 

Of  quarrel,  or  that  our  affections  move 

Any  condition,  save  their  own,  to  love. 

There  are  no  objects  there  but  shades  and  night. 

And  j-et  that  darkness  better  then  the  light.  40 

There  lives  a  silent  harmony,  no  jar 

Or  discord  can  that  sweet  soft  consort  mar. 

The  graves  deaf  ear  is  clos'd  against  all  noise 

Save  that  which  rocks  must  hear,  the  angels  voice : 

Whose  trump  shall  wake  the  world,  and  raise  up  men       45 

Who  in  earths  bosom  slept,  bed-rid  till  then. 

What  man  then  would,  who  on  deaths  pillow  slumbers, 

Be  re-inspir'd  with  life,  though  golden  numbers 

Of  bliss  were  pour'd  into  his  breast;  though  he 

Were  sure  in  change  to  gain  a  Monarchic?  50 

A  Monarchs  glorious  state  compar'd  with  his. 

Less  safe,  less  free,  less  firm,  less  quiet  is. 

For  nere  was  any  Prince  advanc't  so  high 

That  he  was  out  of  reach  of  misery: 

Never  did  story  yet  a  law  report  55 

To  banish  fate  or  sorrow  from  his  Court ; 

Where  ere  he  moves  by  land,  or  through  the  Main, 

These  go  along  sworn  members  of  his  train. 

[109] 


POEMS 

But  he  whom  the  kind  earth  hath  entertain'd, 

Hath  in  her  womb  a  sanctuary  gain'd,  60 

Whose  charter  and  protection  arm  him  so, 

That  he  is  priviledg'd  from  future  woe. 

The  Coffin's  a  safe  harbour,  where  he  rides 

Land-bound,  below  cross  windes,  or  churlish  tides. 

For  grief,  sprung  up  with  life,  was  mans  half-brother     65 

Fed  by  the  taste,  brought  forth  by  sin,  the  mother. 

And  since  the  first  seduction  of  the  wife, 

God  did  decree  to  grief  a  lease  for  life ; 

Which  Patent  in  full  force  continue  must. 

Till  man  that  disobey'd  revert  to  dust.  70 

So  that  lifes  sorrows  ratifi'd  by  God 

Cannot  expire,  or  find  their  period, 

Untill  the  soul  and  body  disunite. 

And  by  two  diff'rent  wayes  from  each  take  flight. 

But  they  dissolved  once  our  woes  disband,  75 

Th'assurance  cancell'd  by  one  fatall  hand  ; 

Soon  as  the  passing  bell  proclaims  me  dead, 

My  sorrows  sink  with  me,  lye  buried 

In  the  same  heap  of  dust,  the  self-same  Urn 

Doth  them  and  me  alike  to  nothing  turn.  80 

If  then  of  these  I  might  election  make 

Whether  I  would  refuse,  and  whether  take, 

Rather  then  like  a  sullen  Anchorite 

I  would  live  cas'd  in  stone,  and  learn  to  write 

A  Prisoners  story,  which  might  steal  some  tears  85 

From  the  sad  eyes  of  him  that  reads  or  hears  ; 

Give  me  a  peaceful  death,  and  let  me  meet 

My  freedom  seal'd  up  in  my  winding  sheet. 

[110] 


THE  LABYRINTH 


Death  is  the  pledge  of  rest,  and  with  one  bayl 

Two  Prisons  quits,  the  Body  and  the  Jayl.  90 

The  Labyrinth. 

Life  is  a  crooked  Labyrinth,  and  we 

Are  daily  lost  in  that  Obliquity. 

'Tis  a  perplexed  circle,  in  whose  round 

Nothing  but  sorrows  and  new  sins  abound. 

How  is  the  faint  impression  of  each  good  5 

Drown'd  in  the  vicious  Channel  of  our  blood? 

Whose  Ebbes  and  tides  by  their  vicissitude 

Both  our  great  Maker  and  our  selves  delude. 

O  wherefore  is  the  most  discerning  eye 
Unapt  to  make  its  own  discovery  ?  10 

Why  is  the  clearest  and  best  judging  mind 
In  her  own  ills  prevention  dark  and  blind? 
Dull  to  advise,  to  act  precipitate. 
We  scarce  think  what  to  do  but  when  too  late. 
Or  if  we  think,  that  fluid  thought,  like  seed  15 

Rots  there  to  propagate  some  fouler  deed. 
Still  we  repent  and  sin,  sin  and  repent; 
We  thaw  and  freeze,  we  harden  and  relent. 
Those  fires  which  cool'd  to  day  the  morrows  heat 
Rekindles.    Thus  frail  nature  does  repeat  20 

What  she  unlearnt,  and  still  by  learning  on 
Perfects  her  lesson  of  confusion. 

Sick  soul !  what  cure  shall  I  for  thee  devise, 
Whose  leprous  state  corrupts  all  remedies? 

[Ill] 


POEMS 

What  medicine  or  what  cordial  can  be  got  25 

For  thee,  who  poyson'st  thy  best  antidot? 

Repentance  is  thy  bane,  since  thou  by  it 

Onely  reviv'st  the  fault  thou  didst  commit. 

Nor  griev'st  thou  for  the  past,  but  art  in  pain 

For  fear  thou  mayst  not  act  it  o're  again.  30 

So  that  thy  tears,  like  water  spilt  on  lime. 

Serve  not  to  quench,  but  to  advance  the  crime. 

My  blessed  Saviour !  unto  thee  I  flie 
For  help  against  this  homebred  tyrannie. 
Thou  canst  true  sorrows  in  my  soul  imprint,  35 

And  draw  contrition  from  a  breast  of  flint. 
Thou  canst  reverse  this  labyrinth  of  sin 
My  wild  afifects  and  actions  wander  in. 
O  guide  my  faith !  and  by  thy  graces  clew 
Teach  me  to  hunt  that  kingdom  at  the  view  40 

Where  true  joyes  reign,  which  like  their  day  shall  last; 
Those  never  clouded,  nor  that  overcast. 

Being  waked  out  of  my  sleep  by  a  snuff  of  Candle 
which  offended  me,  I  thus  thought. 

Perhaps  'twas  but  conceit.     Erroneous  sence ! 

Thou  art  thine  own  distemper  and  ofiEence. 

Imagine  then,  that  sick  unwholsom  steam 

Was  thy  corruption  breath'd  into  a  dream. 

Nor  is  it  strange,  when  we  in  charnells  dwell,  5 

That  all  our  thoughts  of  earth  and  frailty  smell. 

[112] 


SIC  VITA 

Man  is  a  Candle,  whose  unhappy  light 
Burns  in  the  day,  and  smothers  in  the  night. 
And  as  you  see  the  dying  taper  waste. 
By  such  degrees  does  he  to  darkness  haste,  10 

Here  is  the  diff 'rence :    When  our  bodies  lamps 
Blinded  by  age,  or  choakt  with  mortall  damps, 
Now  faint  and  dim  and  sickly  'gin  to  wink, 
And  in  their  hollow  sockets  lowly  sink ; 
When  all  our  vital  fires  ceasing  to  burn,  15 

Leave  nought  but  snuff  and  ashes  in  our  Urn : 

God  will  restore  those  fallen  lights  again. 

And  kindle  them  to  an  Eternal  flame. 


Sic  Vita. 

Like  to  the  falling  of  a  Starre; 

Or  as  the  flights  of  Eagles  are ; 

Or  like  the  fresh  springs  gawdy  hew; 

Or  silver  drops  of  morning  dew; 

Or  like  a  wind  that  chafes  the  flood ;  5 

Or  bubbles  which  on  water  stood ; 

Even  such  is  man,  whose  borrow'd  light 

Is  streight  call'd  in,  and  paid  to  night. 

The  Wind  blowes  out;  the  Bubble  dies; 

The  Spring  entomb'd  in  Autumn  lies;  10 

The  Deiu  drifs  up;  the  Starre  is  shot; 

The  Flight  is  past;  and  Man  forgot. 

[113] 


POEMS 


My  Midnight  Meditation. 

Ill  busi'd  man!  why  should'st  thou  take  such  care 

To  lengthen  out  thy  lifes  short  Kalendar? 

When  e'ry  spectacle  thou  lookst  upon 

Presents  and  acts  thy  execution. 

Each  drooping  season  and  each  flower  doth  cry,         5 
Fool !  as  I  fade  and  wither,  thou  must  dy. 

The  beating  of  thy  pulse  (when  thou  art  well) 
Is  just  the  tolling  of  thy  Passing  Bell: 
Night  is  thy  Hearse,  whose  sable  Canopie 
Covers  alike  deceased  day  and  thee.  10 

And  all  those  weeping  dewes  which  nightly  fall, 
Are  but  the  tears  shed  for  thy  funerall. 

A  Penitential  Hymne. 

Hearken  O  God  unto  a  Wretches  cryes 

Who  low  dejected  at  thy  footstool  lies. 

Let  not  the  clamour  of  my  heinous  sin 

Drown  my  requests,  which  strive  to  enter  in 

At  those  bright  gates,  which  alwaies  open  stand  5 

To  such  as  beg  remission  at  thy  hand. 

Too  well  I  know,  if  thou  in  rigour  deal 
I  can  nor  pardon  ask,  nor  yet  appeal : 
To  my  hoarse  voice,  heaven  will  no  audience  grant, 
But  deaf  as  brass,  and  hard  as  adamant  10 

Beat  back  my  words;  therefore  I  bring  to  thee 
A  gracious  Advocate  to  plead  for  me. 

[114] 


AN  ELEGY— OCCASIONED  BY  SICKNESS 


What  though  my  leprous  soul  no  Jordan  can 
Recure,  nor  flouds  of  the  lav'd  Ocean 
Make  clean?  yet  from  my  Saviours  bleeding  side  15 

Two  large  and  medicinable  rivers  glide. 
Lord,  wash  me  where  those  streams  of  life  abound, 
And  new  Bethesdaes  flow  from  ev'ry  wound. 

If  I  this  precious  Lather  may  obtain, 
I  shall  not  then  despair  for  any  stain ;  20 

I  need  no  Gileads  balm,  nor  oyl,  nor  shall 
I  for  the  purifying  Hyssop  call: 
My  spots  will  vanish  in  His  purple  flood. 
And  crimson  there  turn  white,  though  washt  with  blood. 

See  Lord !  with  broken  heart  and  bended  knee,  25 

How  I  address  my  humble  suit  to  Thee ; 
O  give  that  suit  admittance  to  thy  ears 
Which  floats  to  thee  not  in  my  words  but  tears : 
And  let  my  sinful  soul  this  mercy  crave 
Before  I  fall  into  the  silent  grave.  30 

.^A^  ELEGY 
Occasioned  by  sickness. 

Well  did  the  Prophet  ask,  Lord  what  is  man? 
Implying  by  the  question  none  can 
But  God  resolve  the  doubt,  much  less  define 
What  Elements  this  child  of  dust  combine. 

Man  is  a  stranger  to  himself,  and  knowes  5 

Nothing  so  naturally  as  his  woes. 

[115] 


POEMS 

He  loves  to  travel  countreys,  and  confer 

The  sides  of  Heavens  vast  Diameter: 

Delights  to  sit  in  Nile  or  Boetis  lap, 

Before  he  hath  sayl'd  over  his  own  Map;  10 

By  which  means  he  returnes,  his  travel  spent, 

Less  knowing  of  himself  then  when  he  went. 

Who  knowledge  hunt  kept  under  forrein  locks, 

May  bring  home  wit  to  hold  a  Paradox, 

Yet  be  fools  still.    Therefore  might  I  advise,  15 

I  would  inform  the  soul  before  the  eyes: 

Make  man  into  his  proper  Opticks  look, 

And  so  become  the  student  and  the  book 

With  his  conception,  his  first  leaf,  begin ; 

What  is  he  there  but  complicated  sin  ?  20 

When  riper  time,  and  the  approaching  birth 

Ranks  him  among  the  creatures  of  the  earth. 

His  wailing  mother  sends  him  forth  to  greet 

The  light,  wrapt  in  a  bloudy  winding  sheet; 

As  if  he  came  into  the  world  to  crave  25 

No  place  to  dwell  in,  but  bespeak  a  grave. 

Thus  like  a  red  and  tempest-boading  morn 
His  dawning  is:  for  being  newly  born 
He  hayles  th'ensuing  storm  with  shrieks  and  cryes, 
And  fines  for  his  admission  with  wet  eyes:  30 

How  should  that  Plant  whose  leaf  is  bath'd  in  tears 
Bear  but  a  bitter  fruit  in  elder  years? 
Just  such  is  this,  and  his  maturer  age 
Teems  with  event  more  sad  then  the  presage. 

[116] 


AN  ELEGY— OCCASIONED  BY  SICKNESS 

For  view  him  higher,  when  his  childhoods  span  35 

Is  raised  up  to  Youths  Meridian ; 

When  he  goes  proudly  laden  with  the  fruit 

Which  health,  or  strength,  or  beauty  contribute; 

Yet  as  the  mounted  Canon  batters  down 

The  Towres  and  goodly  structures  of  a  town :  40 

So  one  short  sickness  will  his  force  defeat. 

And  his  frail  Cittadell  to  rubbish  beat. 

How  does  a  dropsie  melt  him  to  a  floud. 

Making  each  vein  run  water  more  then  bloud  ? 

A  ChoUick  wracks  him  like  a  Northern  gust,  45 

And  raging  feavers  crumble  him  to  dust. 

In  which  unhappy  state  he  is  made  worse 

By  his  diseases  then  his  makers  curse. 

God  said  in  toyl  and  sweat  he  should  earn  bread, 

And  without  labour  not  be  nourished :  50 

Here,  though  like  ropes  of  falling  dew,  his  sweat 

Hangs  on  his  lab'ring  brow,  he  cannot  eat. 

Thus  are  his  sins  scourg'd  in  opposed  themes. 
And  luxuries  reveng'd  by  their  extremes. 
He  who  in  health  could  never  be  content  55 

With  Rarities  fetcht  from  each  Element, 
Is  now  much  more  afflicted  to  delight 
His  tasteless  Palate,  and  lost  appetite. 

Besides  though  God  ordain'd,  that  with  the  light 
Man  should  begin  his  work,  jet  he  made  night  60 

For  his  repose,  in  which  the  weary  sense 
Repaires  it  self  by  rests  soft  recompence. 

[117] 


POEMS 

But  now  his  watchful  nights,  and  troubled  dayes 

Confused  heaps  of  fear  and  fancy  raise. 

His  chamber  seems  a  loose  and  trembling  mine ;  65 

His  Pillow  quilted  with  a  Porcupine: 

Pain  makes  his  downy  Couch  sharp  thornes  appear, 

And  ev'ry  feather  prick  him  like  a  spear. 

Thus  when  all  forms  of  death  about  him  keep, 

He  copies  death  in  any  form  but  sleep.  70 

Poor  walking  clay !  hast  thou  a  mind  to  know 
To  what  unblest  beginnings  thou  dost  ow 
Thy  wretched  self  ?  fall  sick  a  while,  and  than 
Thou  wilt  conceive  the  pedigree  of  Man. 
Learn  shalt  thou  from  thine  own  Anatomie,  75 

That  earth  his  mother,  wormes  his  sisters  be. 
That  he's  a  short-liv'd  vapour  upward  wrought. 
And  by  corruption  unto  nothing  brought. 
A  stagg'ring  Meteor  by  cross  Planets  beat. 
Which  often  reeles  and  falles  before  his  set:  80 

A  tree  which  withers  faster  then  it  grows  ; 
A  torch  puff 't  out  by  ev'ry  wind  that  blowes ; 
A  web  of  fourty  weekes  spun  forth  in  pain, 
And  in  a  moment  ravell'd  out  again. 

This  is  the  Model  of  frail  man :  Then  say  85 

That  his  duration's  onely  for  a  day: 
And  in  that  day  more  fits  of  changes  pass. 
Then  Atomes  run  in  the  turn'd  Hower-glass. 

So  that  th'incessant  cares  which  life  invade 
Might  for  strong  truth  their  heresie  perswade,  90 

[118] 


THE  DIRGE 


Who  did  maintain  that  humane  soules  are  sent 
Into  the  body  for  their  punishment: 
At  least  with  that  Greek  sage  still  make  us  cry, 
Not  to  be  born,  or  being  born  to  dy. 

But  Faith  steers  up  to  a  more  glorious  scope,  95 

Which  sweetens  our  sharp  passage ;  and  firm  hope 
Anchors  our  torne  Barks  on  a  blessed  shore, 
Beyond  the  Dead  sea  we  here  ferry  o're. 
To  this,  Death  is  our  Pilot,  and  disease 
The  Agent  which  solicites  our  release.  100 

Though  crosses  then  poure  on  my  restless  head, 
Or  lingring  sickness  nail  me  to  my  bed : 
Let  this  my  Thoughts  eternall  comfort  bee, 
That  my  clos'd  eyes  a  better  light  shall  see. 
And  when  by  fortunes  or  by  natures  stroke  105 

My  bodies  earthen  Pitcher  must  be  broke. 
My  Soul,  like  Gideons  lamp,  from  her  crackt  urn 
Shall  Deaths  black  night  to  endlesse  lustre  turn. 


The  Dirge. 

What  is  th'Existence  of  Mans  life? 
But  open  war,  or  slumber'd  strife. 
Where  sickness  to  his  sense  presents 
The  combat  of  the  Elements: 
And  never  feels  a  perfect  Peace 
Till  deaths  cold  hand  signs  his  release. 

[119] 


POEMS 

It  is  a  storm  where  the  hot  blood 
Out-vies  in  rage  the  boyling  flood; 
And  each  loud  Passion  of  the  mind 
Is  like  a  furious  gust  of  wind,  10 

Which  beats  his  Bark  with  many  a  Wave 
Till  he  casts  Anchor  in  the  Grave. 

It  is  a  flower  which  buds  and  growes, 
And  withers  as  the  leaves  disclose; 
Whose  spring  and  fall  faint  seasons  keep,  15 

Like  fits  of  waking  before  sleep: 
Then  shrinks  into  that  fatal  mold 
Where  its  first  being  was  enroll'd. 

It  is  a  dream,  whose  seeming  truth 
Is  moraliz'd  in  age  and  youth:  20 

Where  all  the  comforts  he  can  share 
As  wandring  as  his  fancies  are ; 
Till  in  a  mist  of  dark  decay 
The  dreamer  vanish  quite  away. 

It  is  a  Diall,  which  points  out  25 

The  Sun-set  as  it  moves  about: 
And  shadowes  out  in  lines  of  night 
The  subtile  stages  of  times  flight. 
Till  all  obscuring  earth  hath  laid 
The  body  in  perpetual  shade.  30 

It  is  a  weary  enterlude 
Which  doth  short  joyes,  long  woes  include. 
The  World  the  Stage,  the  Prologue  tears, 
The  Acts  vain  hope,  and  vary'd  fears : 

[120] 


AN  ELEGY— THE  LOSSE  OF  LADY  STANHOPE 

The  Scene  shuts  up  with  loss  of  breath,  35 

And  leaves  no  Epilogue  but  Death. 

AN  ELEGY 

Occasioned  by  the  losse  of  the  most  incomparable 

Lady  Stanhope,  daughter  to  the  Earl  of 

Northumberland. 

Lightned  by  that  dimme  Torch  our  sorrow  bears 

We  sadly  trace  thy  Coffin  with  our  tears ; 

And  though  the  Ceremonious  Rites  are  past 

Since  thy  fair  body  into  earth  was  cast; 

Though  all  thy  Hatchments  into  ragges  are  torne,  5 

Thy  Funerall  Robes  and  Ornaments  outworn ; 

We  still  thy  mourners  without  Shew  or  Art, 

With  solemn  Blacks  hung  round  about  our  heart. 

Thus  constantly  the  Obsequies  renew 

Which  to  thy  precious  memory  are  due.  10 

Yet  think  not  that  we  rudely  would  invade 
The  dark  recess  of  thine  untroubled  shade,    ] 
Or  give  disturbance  to  that  happy  peace 
Which  thou  enjoy'st  at  full  since  thy  release ; 
Much  less  in  sullen  murmurs  do  complain  15 

Of  His  decree  who  took  thee  back  again, 
And  did  e're  Fame  had  spread  thy  vertues  light. 
Eclipse  and  fold  thee  up  in  endless  night.  ^ 

This  like  an  act  of  envy  not  of  grief 
Might  doubt  thy  bliss,  and  shake  our  own  belief,  20 

[121] 


POEMS 

Whose  studi'd  wishes  no  proportion  bear 

With  joyes  which  crown  thee  now  in  glories  sphere. 

Know  then  blest  Soul !  we  for  our  selves  not  thee 
Seal  our  woes  dictate  by  this  Elegie: 

Wherein  our  tears  united  in  one  streame  25 

Shall  to  succeeding  times  convey  this  theme, 
Worth  all  mens  pity  who  discern  how  rare 
Such  early  growths  of  fame  and  goodness  are. 
Of  these  part  must  thy  sexes  loss  bewail 
Maim'd  in  her  noblest  Patterns  through  thy  fail;  30 

For  'twould  require  a  double  term  of  life 
To  match  thee  as  a  daughter  or  a  wife : 
Both  which  Northumberlands  dear  loss  improve 
And  make  his  sorrow  equal  to  his  love. 
The  rest  fall  for  our  selves,  who  cast  behind  35 

Cannot  yet  reach  the  Peace  which  thou  dost  find ; 
But  slowly  follow  thee  in  that  dull  stage 
Which  most  untimely  poasted  hence  thy  age. 

Thus  like  religious  Pilgrims  who  designe 
A  short  salute  to  their  beloved  Shrine,  40 

Most  sad  and  humble  Votaries  we  come 
To  offer  up  our  sighs  upon  thy  Tomb, 
And  wet  thy  Marble  with  our  dropping  eyes 
Which  till  the  spring  which  feeds  their  currents  dries 
Resolve  each  falling  night  and  rising  day  45 

This  mournfull  homage  at  thy  Grave  to  pay. 

FINIS. 

[122] 


ELEGIES. 


AN  ELEGY  UPON  MY  BEST  FRIEND 

AN 

ELEGY 

UPON  MY  BEST  FRIEND 

L.  K.  C. 

Should  we  our  Sorrows  in  this  Method  range, 
Oft  as  Misfortune  doth  their  Subjects  change, 
And  to  the  sev'ral  Losses  which  befall, 
Pa}^  diff'rent  Rites  at  ev'ry  Funeral  ; 
Like  narrow  Springs  drain'd  by  dispersed  Streams,  5 

We  must  want  Tears  to  wail  such  various  Themes, 
And  prove  defective  in  Deaths  mournful!  Laws, 
Not  having  Words  proportion'd  to  each  Cause. 

In  your  Dear  loss  my  much  afflicted  Sense, 
Discerns  this  Truth  by  sad  experience,  10 

Who  never  Look'd  my  Verses  should  survive. 
As  wet  Records,  That  you  are  not  Alive  ; 
And  less  desir'd  to  make  that  Promise  due. 
Which  pass'd  from  Me  in  jest,  when  urg'd  by  You. 

How  close  and  slily  doth  our  Frailty  work!  15 

How  undiscover'd  in  the  Body  lurk! 
That  Those  who  this  Day  did  salute  you  well, 
Before  the  Next  were  frighted  by  your  Knell. 
O  wherefore  since  we  must  in  Order  rise. 
Should  we  not  Fall  in  equal  Obsequies?  20 

But  bear  th'Assaults  of  an  uneven  Fate, 
Like  Feavers  which  their  Hour  anticipate  ; 
Had  this  Rule  constant  been,  my  long  wish'd  End 
Might  render  you  a  Mourner  for  your  Friend: 

[123] 


ELEGIES 

As  He  for  you,  whose  most  deplor'd  surprise  25 

Imprints  your  Death  on  all  my  Faculties ; 
That  hardly  my  dark  Phant'sie  or  Discourse, 
This  final  Duty  from  the  Pen  inforce : 

Such  Influence  hath  your  Eclipsed  Light, 
It  doth  my  Reason  like  my  Self  benight.  30 

Let  me,  with  Luckless  Gamesters,  then  think  best 
(After  I  have  Set  up  and  Lost  my  Rest,) 
Grow'n  desp'rate  through  mischance,  to  Venture  last 
My  whole  remaining  Stock  upon  a  Cast, 
And  flinging  from  me  my  now  Loathed  Pen,  35 

Resolve  for  your  Sake  nev'r  to  write  agen: 
For  whilst  Successive  days  their  Light  renew, 
I  must  no  Subject  hope  to  Equal  you. 
In  whose  Heroick  Brest  as  in  their  Sphear, 
All  Graces  of  your  Sex  concentred  were.  40 

Thus  take  I  my  long  Farewell  of  that  Art, 
Fit  only  glorious  Actions  to  impart ; 
That  Art  wherewith  our  Crosses  we  beguile. 
And  make  them  in  Harmonious  numbers  smile: 
Since  you  are  gone.  This  holds  no  further  use,  45 

Whose  Virtue  and  Desert  inspir'd  my  Muse. 

0  may  She  in  your  Ashes  Buried  be. 
Whilst  I  my  Self  become  the  Elegie. 

And  as  it  is  observ'd  when  Princes  Dye, 

In  honour  of  that  sad  Solemnity,  50 

The  now  unoffic'd  Servants  crack  their  Staves, 
And  throw  them  down  into  their  Masters  Graves: 
So  this  last  Office  of  my  broken  Verse, 

1  solemnly  resign  upon  your  Hearse; 

[124] 


ON  THE  EARL  OF  ESSEX 


And  my  Brains  moisture,  all  that  is  unspent,  55 

Shall  melt  to  nothing  at  the  Monument. 

Thus  in  moist  Weather  when  the  Marble  weeps, 

You'l  think  it  only  his  Tears  reck'ning  keeps, 

Who  doth  for  ever  to  his  Thoughts  bequeath 

The  Legacy  of  your  lamented  Death.  60 


On  the  Earl  of  Essex. 

Essex  twice  made  unhappy  by  a  Wife, 

Yet  Marry'd  worse  unto  the  Peoples  strife : 

He  who  by  two  Divorces  did  untie 

His  Bond  of  Wedlock  and  of  Loyalty: 

Who  was  by  Easiness  of  Nature  bred,  5 

To  lead  that  Tumult  which  first  Him  misled ; 

Yet  had  some  glimm'ring  Sparks  of  Virtue  lent 

To  see  (though  late)  his  Errour,  and  Repent: 

Essex  lies  here,  like  an  inverted  Flame, 

Hid  in  the  ruins  of  his  House  and  Name ;  10 

And  as  He,  frailties  sad  Example,  lies. 

Warns  the  Survivours  in  his  Exequies. 

He  shews  what  wretched  bubbles  Great  Men  are. 
Through  their  Ambition  grown  too  Popular : 

For  they  Built  up,  from  weak  Opinion,  stand  15 

On  Bases  false  as  Water,  loose  as  Sand ; 

Essex  in  differing  Successes  try'd 

The  fury  and  the  falshood  of  each  Side; 

Now  with  applauses  Deify'd,  and  then 

Thrown  down  with  spightf ull  infamy  agen :  20 

[125] 


ELEGIES 

Tells  them,  what  Arts  soever  them  support, 
Their  Life  is  meerly  Time  and  Fortunes  sport, 
And  that  no  Bladders  blown  by  Common  breath, 
Shall  bear  them  up  amidst  the  Waves  of  Death: 

Tells  them  no  Monstrous  Birth,  with  Pow'r  endu'd     25 
By  that  more  Monstrous  Beast  the  Multitude; 
No  State-Co/o^^  (though  Tall  as  that  bestrid 
The  Rhodian  Harbour  where  their  Navy  rid) 
Can  hold  that  ill-proportion'd  Greatness  still, 
Beyond  his  Greater,  most  Resistless  will,  30 

Whose  dreadfull  Sentence  written  on  the  Wall 
Did  sign  the  Temple  Robbing  Tyrants  fall ; 
But  Spight  of  their  vast  Priviledge,  which  strives 
T'exceed  the  Size  of  ten  Prerogatives; 
Spight  of  their  Endless  Parliament,  or  Grants,  35 

( In  Order  to  those  Votes  and  Covenants, 
When,  without  Sense  of  their  black  Perjury 
They  Swear  with  Essex  they  would  Live  and  Dye) 
With  their  Dead  General  ere  long  they  must 
Contracted  be  into  a  Span  of  Dust.  40 

An  Elegy  on  Sir  Charls  Lucas,  and 
Sir  George  Lisle. 

In  measures  solemn  as  the  groans  that  fall 

From  the  hoarse  Trumpet  at  some  Funerall ; 

With  trayling  Elegy  and  mournfuU  Verse 

I  wait  upon  two  Fearless  Souldiers  Hearse: 

Though,  I  acknowledge  must,  my  sorrowes  dress  5 

111  matched  to  the  cause  it  should  Express ; 

[126] 


SIR  CHARLS  LUCAS,  AND  SIR  GEORGE  LISLE 

Nor  can  I,  at  my  best  Inventions  cost, 

Sum  up  the  Treasure  which  in  them  we  lost : 

Had  they  with  other  Worthies  of  the  Age, 
Who  late  upon  the  Kingdomes  bloody  Stage,  10 

For  God,  the  King,  and  Laws,  their  Valour  try'd. 
Through  Warrs  stern  chance  in  heat  of  Battel  Dy'd, 
We  then  might  save  much  of  our  griefs  expence 
Reputing  it  not  duty,  but  offence. 

They  need  no  tears  nor  howling  Exequy,  15 

Who  in  a  glorious  undertaking  Dye ; 
Since  all  that  in  the  bed  of  honour  fell 
Live  their  own  Monument  and  Chronicle, 

But  these,  whom  horrid  danger  did  not  reach. 
The  wide-mouth 'd  Cannon,  nor  the  wider  Breach,         20 
These,  whom  till  cruel  want  and  coward  fate 
Penn'd  up  like  famish'd  Lions  in  a  Grate, 
Were  for  their  daring  Sallies  so  much  fear'd 
Th'Assailants  fled  them  like  a  frighted  Heard ; 
Resolving  now  no  more  to  fight,  but  lurk  25 

Trench'd  in  their  Line  or  earth'd  within  a  Work. 
Where  not  like  Souldiers  they,  but  Watchmen,  creep, 
Arm'd  for  no  other  office  but  to  sleep: 
They,  whose  bold  charge  whole  Armies  did  amaze, 
Rendring  them  faint  and  heartless  at  the  Gaze,  30 

To  see  Resolve  and  Naked  Valour  charmes 
Of  higher  Proof  than  all  their  massy  Armes: 
They  whose  bright  swords  ruffled  the  proudest  Troop 
(As  fowl  unto  the  towring  Falcon  stoop) 
Yet  no  advantage  made  of  their  Success  35 

Which  to  the  conquer'd  spake  them  merciless ; 

[127] 


ELEGIES 

( For  they,  when  e'r  'twas  begg'd  did  safety  give, 

And  oft  unasked  bid  the  vanquish'd  live;) 

Ev'n  these,  not  more  undaunted  in  the  Field 

Than  mild  and  Gentle  unto  such  as  yield,  40 

Were,  after  all  the  shocks  of  battails  stood, 

(Let  me  not  name  it)  murther'd  in  cold  blood. 

Such  poor  revenge  did  the  enraged  Greek 
Against  (till  then)  victorious  Hector  seek, 
Triumphing  o'r  that  Body  bownd  and  dead  45 

From  whom  in  Life  the  Pow'rs  of  Argos  fled. 
Yet  might  A  chillis  borrow  some  excuse 
To  colour,  though  not  warrant  the  abuse: 
His  dearest  Friend  in  the  fierce  combate  foyl'd 
Was  by  the  Trojans  hand  of  Life  despoyl'd:  50 

From  whence  unruly  grief  grown  wild  with  rage 
Beyond  the  bownds  of  Honour  did  engage. 
But  these,  confirm'd  in  their  unmanly  hate, 
By  Counsels  cruel  yet  deliberate, 

Did  from  the  Stock  of  bleeding  honour  hew  55 

Two  of  the  noblest  Branches  ever  grew; 
And  (which  our  grief  and  Pitty  must  improve) 
When  brought  within  their  reach  with  shews  of  Love: 
For  by  a  Treaty  they  entangled  are, 

And  Rendring  up  to  Mercy  is  the  Snare ;  60 

Whence  we  have  learn'd  when  e'r  their  Saint-Ships 
The  ends  are  mortall,  and  the  means  a  Cheat ;     (Treat, 
In  which  the  World  may  read  their  black  intent, 
Drawn  out  at  large  in  this  sad  President. 
Who  (though  fair  promis'd)  might  no  Mercy  have,        65 
But  such  as  once  the  faithless  Bashaw  gave, 

[128] 


SIR  CHARLS  LUCAS,  AND  SIR  GEORGE  LISLE 


When  to  his  trust  deluded  Bragadine 

Himsef  and  Famogasta  did  resign. 

Whose  envy'd  Valour  thus  to  bonds  betray'd 

Was  soon  the  mark  of  barb'rous  slaughter  made:  70 

So  gallant  Shipps  which  rocks  and  storms  had  past, 

Though  with  torn  Sails  and  spending  of  their  Mast, 

When  newly  brought  within  the  sight  of  Land, 

Have  been  suckt  up  by  some  devouring  Sand 

You  wretched  Agents  for  a  Kingdoms  fall,  75 

Who  yet  your  selves  the  Modell'd  Army  call  ; 
Who  carry  on  and  fashion  your  Design 
By  Syllaes,  Syllaes  red  proscriptions  Line, 
(Romes  Comet  once,  as  You  are  Ours)  for  shame 
Henceforth  no  more  usurp  the  Souldiers  Name:  80 

Let  not  that  Title  in  fair  Battails  gain'd 
Be  by  such  abject  things  as  You  profan'd; 
For  what  have  you  atchiev'd,  the  world  may  guess 
You  are  those  Men  of  Might  which  you  profess. 
Where  ever  durst  You  strike,  if  you  met  foes  85 

Whose  Valour  did  your  odds  in  men  oppose? 
Turn  o're  the  Annalls  of  your  vaunted  Fights 
Which  made  you  late  the  Peoples  Favourites; 
Begin  your  course  at  Naseby,  and  from  thence 
Draw  out  Your  Marches  full  circumference,  90 

Bridgwater,  Bristol,  Dartmouth,  with  the  rest 
Of  Your  well-plotted  renders  in  the  West ; 
Then  to  the  angry  North  Your  compass  bend 
Untill  Your  spent  careere  in  Scotland  end, 
(This  is  the  perfect  Scale  of  our  mishap  95 

Which  measures  out  your  conquest  by  the  Mapp) 

[129] 


ELEGIES 

And  tell  me  he  that  can,  What  have  you  won, 

Which  long  before  Your  progress  was  not  done? 

What  Castle  was  besieg'd,  what  Port,  what  Town, 

You  were  not  sure  to  carry  'ere  sat  down?  100 

There  needed  no  Granadoes,  no  Petard, 

To  force  the  passage,  or  disperse  the  Guard. 

No,  Your  good  Masters  sent  a  Golden  Ramm 

To  batter  down  the  gates  against  You  came. 

Those  blest  Reformers  who  procur'd  the  Swead  105 

His  armed  Forces  into  Denmark  lead, 

'Mongst  them  to  kindle  a  sharp  warr  for  hire, 

Who  in  mear  pitty  meant  to  quench  our  fire. 

Could  where  they  pleased  with  the  King's  own  coyn, 

Divert  His  Aids  and  Strengths  at  home  purloyn.  110 

Upon  Sea  Voyages  I  sometimes  find 
Men  trade  with  Lapland  Witches  for  a  Wind, 
And  by  those  purchas'd  Gales,  quick  as  their  thought, 
To  the  desired  Port  are  safely  brought. 
We  need  not  here  on  skillfull  Hopkins  call  115 

The  States  allow'd  Witch-finder  General. 
For  (though  Rebellion  wants  no  Cad  nor  Elfe, 
But  is  a  perfect  Witchcraft  of  it  self) 
We  could  with  little  help  of  art  reveal 
Those  learn'd  Magitians  with  whom  You  deal:  120 

We  all  Your  Juggles  both  for  Time  and  Place 
From  DrtrZ'_v-house  to  Westminster  can  Trace, 
The  Circle  where  the  factious  Jangle  meet 
To  Trample  Law  and  Gospel  under  feet ; 
In  which,  like  Bells  Rung  backward,  they  proclaim         125 
The  Kingdom  by  their  Wild-fire  set  on  flame, 

[130] 


SIR  CHARLS  LUCAS,  AND  SIR  GEORGE  LISLE 

And,  quite  Perverting  their  First  Rules,  invent 

What  mischief  may  be  done  by  Parliament: 

We  know  Your  holy  Flamens,  and  can  tell 

What  Spirits  Vote  v^^ithin  the  Oracle:  130 

Have  found  the  spells  and  Incantations  too. 

By  whose  assistance  You  such  Wonders  do. 

For  divers  Years  the  credit  of  Your  warrs 

Hath  been  kept  up  by  these  Familiars, 

Who  that  they  may  their  providence  express  135 

Both  find  you  Pay  and  purchase  Your  Success: 

No  wonder  then  You  must  the  Garland  wear, 

Who  never  fought  but  with  a  Silver  Spear. 

We  grant  the  Warrs  unhappy  consequence    (thence, 
With   all   the   num'rous   Plagues  which   grow   from  140 
Murthers  and  Rapes,  threats  of  Disease  and  Dearth, 
From  You  as  for  the  proper  Spring  take  birth : 
You  may  for  Laws  enact  the  Publick  Wrongs, 
With  all  fowl  Violence  to  them  belongs; 
May  bawl  aloud  the  Peoples  Right  and  Pow'r  145 

Till  by  Your  Sword  You  both  of  them  Devour, 
(For  this  brave  Liberty  by  You  up-cry'd 
Is  to  all  others  but  Your-selves  deny'd,) 
May  with  seditious  fires  the  Land  embroyl, 
And  in  pretence  to  quench  them  take  the  Spoyl:  150 

You  may  Religion  to  Your  lust  subdue, 
For  these  are  actions  only  Worthy  You: 
Yet  when  your  Projects,  crownd  with  wish'd  event. 
Have  made  You  Masters  of  the  ill  You  meant. 
You  never  must  the  Souldiers  glory  share,  155 

Since  all  your  Trophies  Executions  are: 

[131] 


ELEGIES 

Not  thinking  your  Successes  understood, 
Unless  Recorded  and  Scor'd  up  in  Blood. 

In  which,  to  Gull  the  People,  you  pretend 
That  Military  Justice  was  Your  end;  160 

As  if  we  still  were  Blind,  not  knowing  this 
To  all  your  other  Virtues  suited  is ; 
Who  only  Act  by  your  great  Grandsires  Law, 
The  Butcher  Cade,  Wat  Tyler,  and  Jack  Straw, 
Whose  Principle  was  Murther,  and  their  Sport  165 

To  cut  off  those  they  fear'd  might  do  them  hurt: 
Nay,  in  your  Actions  we  compleated  find. 
What  by  those  Levellers  was  but  design'd, 
For  now  Committees,  and  your  Arm'd  supplies, 
Canton  the  Land  in  petty  Tyrannies,  170 

And  for  one  King  of  Commons  in  each  Shire, 
Four  hundred  Commons  rule  as  Tyrants  here. 
Had  you  not  meant  the  Copies  of  each  Deed, 
Should  their  Originals  in  ill  exceed. 

You  would  not  practice  sure  the  Turkish  Art,  175 

To  Ship  your  taken  Pris'ners  for  a  Mart, 
Least  if  with  Freedome  they  at  Home  remain, 
They  should  (which  is  your  Terrour)  Fight  again. 
A  thing  long  since  by  Zealous  Rigby  mov'd, 
And  by  the  Faction  like  himself  approv'd;  180 

Though  you  uncounsell'd  can  such  Outrage  try, 
Scarce  sampled  from  the  basest  Enemy. 
Naseby  of  Old,  and  late  St.  Pagans  Fare, 
Of  these  inhumane  Truckings  witness  are; 
At  which  the  Captiv'd  Welch  in  Couples  led,  185 

Were  Marketted,  like  Cattel,  by  the  Head. 

[132] 


SIR  CHARLS  LUCAS,  AND  SIR  GEORGE  LISLE 

Let  it  no  more  in  History  be  told, 

That  Turks  their  Christian  Slaves  for  Aspers  sold ; 

When  we  the  Saints  selling  their  Brethren  see, 

Who  had  a  Call  (they  say)  to  set  them  free ;  190 

And  are  at  last  by  Right  of  Conquest  grown, 

To  claim  our  Land  of  Canaan  for  their  own. 

Though  luckless  Colchester  in  this  out-vies, 

Argiers  or  Tunis  shamefull  Merchandise; 

Where  the  Starv'd  Souldier  (as  th'agreement  was)       195 

Might  not  be  suffer'd  to  their  Dwelling  pass. 

Till,  led  about  by  some  insulting  Band, 

They  first  were  shew'd  in  Triumph  through  the  Land : 

In  which  for  lack  of  Dyet,  or  of  Strength 

If  any  Fainted  through  the  Marches  length,  200 

Void  of  the  Breasts  of  Men,  this  Murth'rous  Crew 

All  those  they  could  drive  on  no  further,  Slew; 

What  Bloody  Riddle's  this?    They  mercy  give. 

Yet  those  who  should  enjoy  it,  must  not  Live. 

Indeed  we  cannot  less  from  such  expect,  205 

Who  for  this  Work  of  Ruine  are  Elect : 
This  Scum  drawn  from  the  worst,  who  never  knew 
The  Fruits  which  from  Ingenuous  Breeding  grew; 
But  take  such  low  Commanders  on  their  Lists, 
As  did  revolted  Jeroboam  Priests:  210 

That  'tis  our  Fate,  I  fear,  to  be  undone 
Like  Aegypt  once  with  Vermin  over-run. 
If  in  the  Rabble  some  be  more  refin'd 
By  fair  Extractions  of  their  birth  or  mind, 
Ev'n  these  corrupted  are  by  such  allays,  215 

That  no  Impression  of  their  Vertue  stays. 

[133] 


ELEGIES 

As  Gold  embased  by  some  mingled  Dross 
Both  in  it's  Worth  and  Nature  suffers  Loss. 

Else  had  that  Sense  of  Honour  still  Surviv'd 
Which  Fairfax  from  his  Ancestors  deriv'd,  220 

He  ne'r  had  shew'd  Himself,  for  hate  or  fear, 
So  much  degen'rous  from  renowned  Vere 
(The  Title  and  Alliance  of  whose  Son 
His  Acts  of  Valour  had  in  Holland  won), 
As  to  give  up  by  his  rash  dooming  Breath  225 

This  precious  Pair  of  Lives  to  timeless  death ; 
Whom  no  brave  Enemy  but  would  esteem. 
And,  though  with  hazard  of  his  own,  redeem. 
For  'tis  not  vainly  by  the  world  surmis'd 
This  Blood  to  private  Spleens  was  sacrifis'd.  230 

Half  of  the  guilt  stands  chardgd  on  Whaleys  score, 
By  Lisle  affronted  on  his  guards  before ; 
For  which  his  spight  by  other  hands  was  shew'n, 
Who  never  durst  dispute  it  with  his  own. 
Twice  guilty  coward !  first  by  Vote,  then  Eye,  235 

Spectator  of  the  shamefuU  Tragedy. 
But  Lucas  elder  cause  of  quarrell  Knew, 
From  whence  his  Critical  Misfortune  grew; 
Since  he  from  Berkley  Castle  with  such  scorn 
Bold  Ransborough's  first  Summons  did  return,  240 

Telling  him  Loudly  at  the  Parley's  Beat, 
With  Rogues  and  Rebells  He  disdain'd  to  Treat; 

Some  from  this  hot  contest  the  world  perswade 
His  sleeping  vengeance  on  that  ground  was  laid : 
If  so,  for  ever  blurr'd  with  Envies  brand,  245 

His  Honour  gain'd  by  Sea,  was  lost  at  Land : 

[134] 


SIR  CHARLS  LUCAS.  AND  SIR  GEORGE  LISLE 

Nor  could  he  an  impending  Judgment  shun 

Who  did  to  this  with  so  much  fervour  run, 

When  late  himself,  to  quit  that  Bloody  stain. 

Was,  midst  his  Armed  Guards,  from  Pom  fret  slain.     250 

But  all  in  vain  we  here  expostulate 

What  took  them  hence,  private  or  publick  hate : 

Knowledge  of  acted  Woes  small  comforts  add, 

When  no  repair  proportion'd  can  be  had : 

And  such  are  ours,  which  to  the  Kingdomes  eyes  255 

Sadly  present  ensuing  miseries. 

Fore-telling  in  These  Two  some  greater  ill 

From  Those  who  now  a  Pattent  have  to  Kill. 

Two,  whose  dear  loss  leaves  us  no  recompence, 

Nor  them  attonement,  which  in  weight  or  Sense  260 

With  These  shall  never  into  Ballance  come 

Though  all  the  Army  fell  their  Hecatomb. 

Here  leave  them  then ;  and  be't  our  last  relief 

To  give  their  merit  Value  in  our  grief. 

Whose  blood  however  yet  neglected  must  265 

Without  revenge  or  Rites  mingle  with  Dust; 

Not  any  falling  drop  shall  ever  dry 

Till  to  a  Weeping  Spring  it  multiply, 

Bath'd  in  whose  tears  their  blasted  Laurell  shall    ( fall. 

Grow  green,  and  with  fresh  Garlands  Crown  their    270 

From  this  black  region  then  of  Death  and  Night 
Great  Spirits  take  your  everlasting  flight: 
And  as  your  Valours  mounting  fires  combine, 
May  they  a  brighter  Constellation  shine 
Than  Gemini,  or  than  the  Brother-Starrs  275 

Castor  and  Pollux  fortunate  to  warrs. 

[135] 


ELEGIES 

That  all  fair  Souldiers  by  Your  sparkling  light 
May  find  the  way  to  Conquer  when  they  Fight, 
And  by  those  Paterns  which  from  you  they  take 
Direct  their  course  though  Honours  Zodiak:  280 

But  upon  Traitors  frown  with  dire  Aspect, 
Which  may  their  perjuries  and  guilt  reflect; 
Unto  the  Curse  of  whose  Nativity, 
Prodigious  as  the  Caput  Algol  be, 

Whose  pale  and  ghastly  Tresses  still  portend  285 

Their  own  despair  or  Hangman  for  their  end. 
And  that  succeeding  ages  may  keep  safe 
Your  Lov'd  remembrance  in  some  Epitaph, 
Upon  the  ruins  of  j'our  glorious  Youth 
Inscribed  be  this  Monumentall  Truth:  290 

Here  ly  the  Valiant  Lucas  and  brave  Lysle, 
With  Amasa  betray'd  in  Joabs  smile: 
In  whom  revenge  of  Honour  taking  place 
His  great  Corrivall's  stabb'd  in  the  Embrace. 
And  as  it  was  the  Hebrew  Captains  stain  295 

That  he  two  Greater  than  himself  had  Slain, 
Shedding  the  Blood  of  Warr  in  time  of  Peace, 
When  Love  pretended  was,  and  Arms  did  cease. 
May  the  fowl  Murtherers  expect  a  fate 
Like  Joabs,  Blood  with  Blood  to  expiate:  300 

Which  quick  as  Lightning,  and  as  Thunder  sure, 
Preventions  wisest  arts  nor  shun,  nor  cure. 
O  may  it  fall  on  their  perfidious  head ! 
That  when,  with  Joab  to  the  Altar  fled, 
Themselves  the  Sword  and  reach  of  vengence  flee        305 
No  Temple  may  their  Sanctuary  be. 

[136] 


AN  ELEGY  UPON  KING  CHARLS  THE  FIRST 


Last,  that  nor  frailty  nor  devouring  time 
May  ever  lose  impressions  of  the  Crime, 
Let  loyal  Colchester  (who  too  late  try'd 
To  Check,  when  highest  wrought,  the  Rebels  Pride,    310 
Holding  them  long,  and  doubtfull  at  the  bay, 
Whilest  we  by  looking  on  gave  all  away) 
Be  only  Nam'd :  which  like  a  Columne  built 
Shall  both  enhearse  this  blood  un-nobly  spilt, 
And  live,  till  all  her  Towres  in  rubbish  lye  315 

The  Monuments  of  their  base  Cruelty. 


An  Elegy  upon  the  most  Incomparable 
King  Charls  the  First. 

Call  for  amazed  thoughts,  a  wounded  sense 

And  bleeding  Hearts  at  our  Intelligence. 

Call  for  that  Trump  of  Death  the  Mandrakes  Groan 

Which  kills  the  Hearers :    This  befits  alone 

Our  Story  which  through  times  vast  Calendar,  5 

Must  stand  without  Example  or  Repair. 

What  spouts  of  melting  Clouds,  what  endless  Springs, 

Powr'd  in  the  Oceans  lap  for  Offerings, 

Shall  feed  the  hungry  Torrent  of  our  grief 

Too  mighty  for  expression  or  belief?  10 

Though  all  those  moistures  which  the  brain  attracts 

Ran  from  eyes  like  gushing  Cataracts, 

Or  our  sad  accents  could  out-tongue  the  Cryes 

Which  did  from  mournful  Hadadrimmon  rise, 

[137] 


ELEGIES 

Since  that  remembrance  of  Josiah  slain  15 

In  our  King's  murther  is  reviv'd  again. 

O  pardon  me  that  but  from  Holy  Writ 
Our  loss  allowes  no  Parallel  to  it: 
Nor  call  it  bold  presumption  that  I  dare 
Chads  with  the  best  of  Judah's  Kings  compare:  20 

The  vertues  of  whose  life  did  I  prefer 
The  Text  acquits  me  for  no  Flatterer. 
For  he  like  David  perfect  in  his  Trust, 
Was  never  stayn'd  like  Him,  with  Blood  or  Lust. 

One  who  with  Solomon  in  Judgment  try'd,  25 

Was  quick  to  comprehend,  Wise  to  decide, 
(That  even  his  Judges  stood  amaz'd  to  hear  , 

A  more  transcendent  Mover  in  their  Sphear) 
Though  more  Religious:  for  when  doting  Love 
A  while  made  Solomon  Apostate  prove,  30 

Chads  nev'r  endur'd  the  Truth  which  he  profest, 
To  be  unfixt  by  bosome  interest. 
Bold  as  Jehosaphat,  yet  forc'd  to  Fight, 
And  for  his  own,  no  unconcerned  Right. 
Should  I  recount  His  constant  time  of  Pray'r,  35 

Each  rising  Morn  and  Ev'ning  Regular, 
You'ld  say  his  practice  preach'd.  They  ought  not  Eat 
Who  by  devotion  first  not  earn'd  their  Meat: 
Thus  Hezekiah  He  exceeds  in  Zeal, 

Though  not  (like  him)  So  facile  to  reveal  40 

The  Treasures  of  Gods  House,  or  His  own  Heart, 
To  be  supplanted  by  some  forein  art. 
And  that  he  might  in  fame  with  Joash  share 
When  he  the  ruin'd  Temple  did  repair, 

[138] 


AN  ELEGY  UPON  KING  CHARLS  THE  FIRST 

His  cost  on  Pauls  late  ragged  Fabrick  spent  45 

Must  (if  no  other)  be  His  Monument. 

From  this  Survey  the  Kingdom  may  conclude 
His  Merits,  and  her  Losses  Magnitude; 
Nor  think  he  flatters  or  blasphemes,  who  tells 
That  Charls  exceeds  Judea's  Parallels,  50 

In  whom  all  Vertues  we  concentred  see 
Which  'mongst  the  best  of  them  divided  be. 

O  weak  built  Glories !  which  those  Tempests  feel 
To  force  you  from  your  firmest  bases  reel, 
What  from  the  stroaks  of  Chance  shall  you  secure,         55 
When  Rocks  of  Innocence  are  so  unsure? 
W^hen  the  World's  only  mirrour  slaughter'd  lies, 
Envies  and  Treasons  bleeding  sacrifize  ; 
As  if  His  stock  of  Goodness  could  become 
No  Kalendar,  but  that  of  Martyrdom.  60 

See  now  ye  cursed  Mountebanks  of  State, 
Who  have  Eight  years  for  Reformations  sate ; 
You  who  dire  Alva's  Counsels  did  transfer, 
To  Act  his  Scenes  on  England's  Theater ; 
You  who  did  pawn  your  Selves  in  Publick  Faith  65 

To  slave  the  Kingdom  by  your  Pride  and  Wrath ; 
Call  the  whole  World  to  witness  now,  how  just, 
How  well  you  are  responsive  to  your  trust. 
How  to  your  King  the  promise  you  perform. 
With  Fasts,  and  Sermons,  and  long  Prayers  sworn,        70 
That  you  intended  Peace  and  Truth  to  bring 
To  make  your  Charls  Europes  most  Glorious  King, 
Did  you  for  this  Lift  up  your  Hands  on  high. 
To  Kill  the  King,  and  pluck  down  Monarchy? 

[139] 


ELEGIES 

These  are  the  Fruits  by  your  wild  Faction  sown,  75 

Which  not  Imputed  are,  but  Born  your  own : 

For  though  you  wisely  seem  to  wash  your  Hands, 

The  Guilt  on  every  Vote  and  Order  stands ; 

So  that  convinc'd,  from  all  you  did  before, 

Justice  must  lay  the  Murther  at  your  Door.  80 

Mark  if  the  Body  does  not  Bleed  anew, 

In  any  Circumstance  approach'd  by  You, 

From  whose  each  motion  we  might  plain  descry 

The  black  Ostents  of  this  late  Tragedy. 

For  when  the  King  through  Storms  in  Scotland  bred,  85 
To  his  Great  Councel  for  his  shelter  fled, 
When  in  that  meeting  every  Error  gain'd 
Redresses  sooner  granted,  than  Complain'd: 
Not  all  those  frank  Concessions  or  Amends 
Did  suit  the  then  too  Powerfull  Faction  s  ends:  90 

No  Acts  of  Grace  at  present  would  Content, 
Nor  Promise  of  Triennial  Parl'ament, 
Till  by  a  formal  Law  the  King  had  past 
This  Session  should  at  Your  pleasure  last. 

So  having  got  the  Bitt,  and  that  'twas  known  95 

No  power  could  dissolve  You  but  Your  own, 
Your  graceless  Junto  make  such  use  of  this, 
As  once  was  practis'd  by  Semira?ms; 
Who  striving  by  a  subtile  Sute  to  prove 
The  largeness  of  her  Husband  Trust  and  Love,  100 

Did  from  the  much  abused  King  obtain 
That  for  Three  dayes  She  might  sole  Empress  reign; 
Before  which  time  expir'd,  the  bloody  Wife 
Depriv'd  her  Lord  both  of  his  Crown  and  Life. 

[140] 


AN  ELEGY  UPON  KING  CHARLS  THE  FIRST 


There  needs  no  Comment  when  your  deeds  apply         105 
The  Demonstration  of  her  Treachery. 

Which  to  effect,  by  Absolon's  foul  wile 
You  of  the  Peoples  Heart  your  Prince  beguile ; 
Urging  what  Eases  they  might  reap  by  it 
Did  you  their  Legislative  Judges  sit.  110 

How  did  you  fawn  upon,  and  Court  the  Rout, 
Whose  Clamour  carry'd  your  whole  Plot  about? 
How  did  you  thank  Seditious  men  that  came 
To  bring  Petitions  which  your  selves  did  frame  ? 
And  lest  they  wanted  Hands  to  set  them  on,  115 

You  lead  the  way  by  throwing  the  first  stone. 
For  in  that  Libel  after  Midnight  born. 
Wherewith  your  Faction  laboured  till  the  Morn, 
That  Famous  Lye,  you  a  Remonstrance  name; 
Were  not  Reproaches  your  malicious  aim?  120 

Was  not  the  King's  dishonour  your  intent, 
By  Slanders  to  traduce  his  Government? 
All  which  your  spightfuU  Cunning  did  contrive; 
Men  must  receive  through  your  false  Perspective, 
In  which  the  smallest  Spots  improved  were,  125 

And  every  Mote  a  Mountain  did  appear. 
Thus  Caesar  by  th'  ungratefull  Senate  found 
His  Life  assaulted  through  his  Honour's  Wound. 

And  now  to  make  Him  hopeless  to  resist. 
You  guide  His  Sword  by  Vote,  which  as  you  list  130 

Must,  Strike  or  Spare  (for  so  you  did  enforce 
His  Hand  against  His  Reason  to  divorce 


[141] 


ELEGIES 

Brave  Strafford's  Life,)  then  wring  it  quite  away 

By  your  usurping  each  Militia: 

Then  seize  His  Magazines,  of  which  possest  135 

You  turn  the  Weapons  'gainst  their  Master's  Breast. 

This  done,  th'  unkennell'd  crew  of  Lawless  men 
Led  down  by  Watkins,  Pennington,  and  Ven, 
Did  with  confused  noise  the  Court  invade; 
Then  all  Dissenters  in  Both  Houses  Bay'd.  140 

At  which  the  King  amaz'd  is  forc'd  to  fl3'e. 
The  whilst  your  Mouth's  laid  on  mantain  the  Cry. 

The  Royal  Game  dislodg'd  and  under  Chase, 
Your  hot  Pursute  dogs  Him  from  place  to  place: 
Not  Saul  with  greater  fury  or  disdain  145 

Did  flying  David  from  Jeshimons  plain 
Unto  the  barren  Wilderness  pursue. 
Than  Cours'd  and  Hunted  is  the  King  by  you. 
The  Mountain  Partridge  or  the  Chased  Roe 
Might  now  for  Emblemes  of  His  Fortune  go,  150 

And  since  all  other  May-games  of  the  Town 
(Save  those  your  selves  should  make)  were  Voted  down, 
The  Clam'rous  Pulpit  Hollaes  in  resort, 
Inviting  men  to  your  King-catching  Sport. 
Where  as  the  Foyl  grows  cold  you  mend  the  Scent  155 

By  crying  Privilege  of  Parliament, 
Whose  fair  Pretensions  the  first  sparkles  are, 
Which  by  your  breath  blown  up  enflame  the  War, 
And  Ireland  (bleeding  by  design)  the  Stale 
Wherewith  for  Men  and  Money  you  prevail.  160 

Yet  doubting  that  Imposture  could  not  last, 
When  all  the  Kingdoms  Mines  of  Treasure  waste, 

[142] 


AN  ELEGY  UPON  KING  CHARLS  THE  FIRST 

You  now  tear  down  Religions  sacred  Hedge 

To  carry  on  the  Work  by  Sacriledge; 

Reputing  it  Rebellions  fittest  Pay  165 

To  take  both  God's  and  Caesar  s  dues  away. 

The  tenor  of  which  execrable  Vote 
Your  over-active  Zelots  so  promote, 
That  neither  Tomb  nor  Temple  could  escape, 
Nor  Dead  nor  Living,  your  Licentious  Rape.  170 

Statues  and  Grave-stones  o'r  men  buried 
Rob'd  of  their  Brass,  the  Coffins  of  their  Led ; 
Not  the  Seventh  Henry's  gilt  and  curious  Skreen, 
Nor  those  which  'mongst  our  Rarities  were  seen, 
The  Chests  wherein  the  Saxon  Monarchs  lay,  175 

But  must  be  basely  sould  or  thrown  away. 
May  in  succeeding  times  forgotten  be 
Those  bold  Examples  of  Impiety, 
Which  were  the  Ages  wonder  and  discourse. 
You  have  Their  greatest  ills  improv'd  by  worse.  180 

No  more  be  mention'd  Dionysius  Theft, 
Who  of  their  Gold  the  Heathen  Shrines  bereft; 
For  who  with  Yours  His  Robberies  confer, 
Must  him  repute  a  petty  Pilferer. 

Nor  Julian's  Scoff,  who  when  he  view'd  the  State     185 
Of  Antioch's  Church,  the  Ornaments  and  Plate, 
Cry'd,  Meaner  Vessels  would  serve  turn,  or  None 
Might  well  become  the  birth  of  Mary's  Son: 

Nor  how  that  spightfuU  Atheist  did  in  scorn 
Pisse  on  God's  Table,  which  so  oft  had  born  190 

The  Hallow'd  Elements,  his  death  present: 

Nor  he  that  fould  it  with  his  Excrement, 

[143] 


ELEGIES 

Then  turn'd  the  Cloth  unto  that  act  of  shame, 
Which  without  trembling  Christians  should  not  name. 

Nor  John  of  Ley  den,  who  the  pillag'd  Quires  195 

Employ'd  in  Munster  for  his  own  attires ; 
His  pranks  by  Hazlerig  exceeded  be, 
A  wretch  more  wicked  and  as  mad  as  he, 
Who  once  in  triumph  led  his  Sumpter  Moil 
Proudly  bedecked  with  the  Altar's  spoyl.  200 

Nor  at  Bizantium' s  sack  how  Mahomet 
In  St.  Sophia's  Church  his  Horses  set. 

Nor  how  Belshazzar  at  his  drunken  Feasts 
Carows'd  in  holy  Vessels  to  his  Guests : 

Nor  he  that  did  the  Books  and  Anthems  tear,  205 

Which  in  the  daily  Stations  used  were. 

These  were  poor  Essayes  of  imperfect  Crimes, 
Fit  for  beginners  in  unlearned  times, 
Siz'd  onely  for  that  dull  Meridian 

Which  knew  no  Jesuit  nor  Puritan,  210 

(Before  whose  fatal  Birth  were  no  such  things 
As  Doctrines  to  Depose  and  Murther  Kings.) 
But  since  Your  prudent  care  Enacted  well. 
That  there  should  be  no  King  in  Israel, 
England  must  write  such  Annals  of  Your  reign  215 

Which  all  Records  of  elder  mischiefs  stain. 
Churches  unbuilt  by  order,  others  burn'd ; 
Whilst  Pauls  and  Lincoln  are  to  Stables  turn'd  ; 
And  at  God's  Table  you  might  Horses  see 
By  (those  more  Beasts)  their  Riders  manger'd  be,         220 
Some  Kitchins  and  some  Slaughter-houses  made, 
Communion-boards  and  Cloths  for  Dressers  laid: 

[144] 


AN  ELEGY  UPON  KING  CHARLS  THE  FIRST 

Some  turn'd  to  loathsome  Goals,  so  by  you  brought 

Unto  the  Curse  of  Baal's  House :,  a  Draught. 

The  Common  Prayers  with  the  Bibles  torn,  225 

The  Coaps  in  Antick  Moorish  Dances  worn, 

And  sometimes,  for  the  wearers  greater  mock, 

The  Surplice  is  converted  to  a  Frock. 

Some  bringing  Dogs  the  Sacrament  revile. 

Some  with  Copronimus  the  Font  defile.  230 

O  God!  canst  Thou  these  prophanations  like? 

If  not,  why  is  thy  Thunder  slow  to  strike 

The  cursed  Authors?  who  dare  think  that  Thou 

Dost,  when  not  punish  them,  their  acts  allow. 

All  which  outragious  Crimes,  though  your  pretence      235 

Would  fasten  on  the  Souldiers  insolence, 

We  must  believe,  that  what  by  them  was  done 

Came  licens'd  forth  by  your  probation. 

For,  as  your  selves  with  Atlialiah's  Brood 

In  strong  contention  for  precedence  stood,  240 

You  robb'd  Two  Royal  Chapels  of  their  Plate, 

Which  Kings  and  Queens  to  God  did  dedicate; 

Then  by  a  Vote  more  sordid  than  the  Stealth, 

Melt  down  and  Coyn  it  for  the  Common-wealth ; 

That  is,  give't  up  to  the  devouring  jaws  245 

Of  your  great  Idol  Bell,  new  styl'd  The  Cause. 

And  though  this  Monster  you  did  well  devise 

To  feed  by  Plunder,  Taxes,  Loans,  Excise; 

(All  which  Provisions  You  the  People  tell 

Scarce  serve  to  diet  Your  Pantagruel.)  250 

We  no  Strew'd  Ashes  need  to  trace  the  Cheat, 

Who  plainly  see  what  Mouthes  the  Messes  eat. 

[145] 


ELEGIES 

Brave  Reformation!  and  a  through  one  too, 
Which  to  enrich  Your  selves  must  All  undo. 
Pray  tell  us  (those  that  can)  What  fruits  have  grow^n    255 
From  all  Your  Seeds  in  Blood  and  Treasure  sown  ? 
What  would  you  mend  ?  vjhtn  Your  Projected  State 
Doth  from  the  Best  in  Form  degenerate? 
Or  why  should  You  (of  All)  attempt  the  Cure, 
Whose  Facts  nor  Gospel's  Test  nor  Laws  endure?        260 
But  like  unwholsome  Exhalations  met 
From  Your  Conjunction  onely  Plagues  beget, 
And  in  Your  Circle,  as  Imposthumes  fill 
Which  by  their  venome  the  whole  Body  kill; 
For  never  had  You  Pow'r  but  to  Destroy,  265 

Nor  Will,  but  where  You  Conquer'd  to  Enjoy. 

This  was  your  Master-prize,  who  did  intend 
To  make  both  Church  and  Kingdorns  prey  Your  End. 
'Gainst  which  the  King  (plac'd  in  the  Gap)  did  strive 
By  His  (till  then  unquestion'd)  Negative,  270 

Which  finding  You  lack'd  Reason  to  perswade, 
Your  Arguments  are  into  Weapons  made; 
So  to  compell  him  by  main  force  to  yield, 
You  had  a  Formed  Army  in  the  Field 
Before  his  Reared  Standard  could  invite  275 

Ten  men  upon  his  Righteous  Cause  to  fight : 
Yet  ere  those  raised  Forces  did  advance. 
Your  malice  struck  him  dead  by  Ordinance, 
When  your  Commissions  the  whole  Kingdom  swept 
With  Blood  and  Slaughter,  Not  the  King  Except.       280 

Now  hardned  in  Revolt,  You  next  proceed 
By  Pacts  to  strengthen  each  Rebellious  Deed, 

[146] 


AN  ELEGY  UPON  KING  CHARLS  THE  FIRST 

New  Oaths,  and  Vows,  and  Covenants  advance, 

All  contradicting  your  Allegiance, 

Whose  Sacred  knot  you  plainly  did  unty,  285 

When  you  with  Essex  siuore  to  Live  and  Dye. 

These  were  your  Calves  in  Bethel  and  in  Dan, 

Which  Jeroboam's  Treason  stablish  can, 

Who  by  strange  Pacts  and  Altars  did  seduce 

The  People  to  their  Laws  and  King's  abuse ;  290 

All  which  but  serve  like  Shibboleth  to  try 

Those  who  pronounc'd  not  your  conspiracy ; 

That  when  your  other  Trains  defective  are, 

Forc'd  Oaths  might  bring  Refusers  to  the  Snare. 

And  lest  those  men  your  Counsels  did  pervert,  295 

Might  when  your  Fraud  was  seen  the  Cause  desert, 

A  fierce  Decree  is  through  the  Kingdom  sent. 

Which  made  it  Death  for  any  to  Repent, 

What  strange  Dilemmaes  doth  Rebellion  make? 

'Tis  mortal  to  Deny,  or  to  Partake:  300 

Some  Hang  who  would  not  aid  your  Traiterous  Act, 

Others  engag'd  are  Hang'd  if  they  Retract. 

So  Witches  who  their  Contracts  have  unsworn, 

By  their  own  Devils  are  in  pieces  torn. 

Thus  £*-ill  the  rageing  Tempest  higher  grows,  305 

Which  in  Extreams  the  Kings  Resolvings  throws. 
The  face  of  Ruin  every  where  appears. 
And  Acts  of  Outrage  multiply  our  fears; 
Whilst  blind  Ambition  by  successes  fed 
Hath  You  bejond  the  bound  of  Subjects  led,  310 

Who  tasting  once  the  sweet  of  Regal  Sway, 
Resolving  now  no  longer  to  obey. 

[147] 


ELEGIES 

For  Presbiterian  pride  contests  as  high 

As  doth  the  Popedom  for  Supremacy. 

Needs  must  you  with  unskilfull  Phaeton  315 

Aspire  to  guid  the  Chariot  of  the  Sun, 

Though  your  ill-govern'd  height  with  lightning  be 

Thrown  headlong  from  his  burning  Axle-tree. 

You  will  no  more  Petition  or  Debate, 

But  your  desire  in  Propositions  state,  320 

Which  by  such  Rules  and  Ties  the  King  confine, 

They  in  effect  are  Summons  to  Resign. 

Therefore  your  War  is  manag'd  with  such  sleight, 

'Twas  seen  you  more  prevail'd  by  Purse  than  Might; 

And  those  you  could  not  purchase  to  your  will,  325 

You  Brib'd  with  Sums  of  Money  to  sit  still. 

The  King  by  this  time  hopeless  here  of  Peace, 
Or  to  procure  His  wasted  Peoples  ease. 
Which  He  in  frequent  Messages  had  try'd, 
By  you  as  oft  as  Shamelesly  deny'd ;  330 

Wearied  by  faithless  Friends  and  restless  Foes, 
To  certain  hazard  doth  His  Life  Expose: 
When  through  your  Quarters  in  a  mean  disguise 
He  to  His  Country-men  for  succour  flies. 
Who  met  a  brave  occasion  then  to  save  ■».   CC:. 

Their  Native  King  from  His  w^tlmciy  Grave: 
Had  he  fro-r  *-b" ...  ^^c'n  rair  Reception  gain'd, 
wherewith  ev'n  Achish  David  entertain'd. 
But  Faith  to  Him  or  Hospitable  Laws 
In  your  Confederate  Union  were  no  Clause,  340 

Which  back  to  you  their  Rendred  Master  sends 
To  tell  how  He  was  us'd  among  his  Friends. 

[148] 


AN  ELEGY  UPON  KING  CHARLS  THE  FIRST 


Far  be  it  from  my  thoughts  by  this  black  Line 

To  measure  all  within  that  Warlike  Clime  ; 

The  still  admir'd  Montross  some  Numbers  lead  345 

In  his  brave  steps  of  Loyalty  to  tread. 

I  only  Tax  a  furious  Party  there, 

Who  with  our  Native  Pests  Enleagued  were. 

Then  'twas  you  follow'd  Him  with  Hue  and  Cry, 

Made  Midnight  Searches  in  Each  Liberty,  350 

Voting  it  Death  to  all  without  Reprieve, 

Who  should  their  Master  Harbour  or  Relieve. 

Ev'n  in  pure  pity  of  both  Nations  Fame, 

I  wish  that  Act  in  Story  had  no  Name. 

When  all  your  mutual  Stipulations  are  355 

Converted  at  Newcastle  to  a  Fair, 

Where  (like  His  Lord)  the  King  the  Mart  is  made. 

Bought  with  Your  Money,  and  by  Them  Betraid; 

For  both  are  Guilty,  They  that  did  Contract, 

And  You  that  did  the  fatal  Bargain  Act.  360 

Which  who  by  equal  Reason  shall  peruse. 

Must  yet  conclude,  They  had  the  best  Excuse : 

For  doubtless  They  (Good  men)  had  never  Sold, 

But  that  you  tempted  Them  with  English  Gold ; 

And  'tis  no  wonder  if  with  such  a  Sum  365 

Our  Brethrens  frailty  might  be  overcome. 

What  though  hereafter  it  may  prove  their  Lot 

To  be  compared  with  Iscariot? 

Yet  will  the  World  perceive  which  was  most  wuse, 

And  who  the  Nobler  Traitor  by  the  Price ;  370 

For  though  'tis  true  Both  did  Themselves  undo. 

They  made  the  better  Bargain  of  the  Two, 

[149] 


ELEGIES 

Which  all  may  reckon  who  can  difference 

Two  hundred  thousand  Pounds  from  Thirty  Pence. 

However  something  is  in  Justice  due,  375 

Which  may  be  spoken  in  defence  of  You; 
For  in  your  Masters  Purchase  you  gave  more, 
Than  all  your  Jewish  Kindred  paid  before. 
And  had  you  wisely  us'd  what  then  you  bought, 
Your  Act  might  be  a  Loyal  Ransome  thought,  380 

To  free  from  Bonds  your  Captive  Soveraign, 
Restoring  Him  to  his  lost  Crown  again. 

But  You  had  other  Plots,  your  busie  hate 
Ply'd  all  advantage  on  His  fallen  State, 
And  shew'd  You  did  not  come  to  bring  Him  Bayl,        385 
But  to  remove  Him  to  a  stricter  Gaol, 
To  Holmby  first,  whence  taken  from  His  Bed, 
He  by  an  Army  was  in  Triumph  led  ; 
Till  on  pretence  of  safety  Cromiuers  wile 
Had  juggl'd  Him  into  the  Fatal  Isle,  390 

Where  Hammond  for  his  Jaylor  is  decreed, 
And  Murderous  Rolf  as  Lieger-Hangman  fee'd. 
Who  in  one  fatal  Knot  Two  Counsels  tye. 
He  must  by  Poison  or  by  Pistol  Dye. 
Here  now  deny'd  all  Comforts  due  to  Life,  395 

His  Friends,  His  Children,  and  His  Peerless  Wife; 
From  Carisbrook  He  oft  but  vainly  sends, 
And  though  first  Wrong'd,  seeks  to  make  you  Amends ; 
For  this  He  sues,  and  by  his  restless  Pen 
Importunes  Your  deaf  Ears  to  Treat  agen.  400 

Whilst  the  proud  Faction  scorning  to  go  less. 
Return  those  Trait'rous  Votes  of  Non  Address, 

[150] 


AN  ELEGY  UPON  KING  CHARLS  THE  FIRST 

Which  follow'd  were  by  th'  Armies  thundring 

To  Act  without  and  quite  against  the  King. 

Yet  when  that  Cloud  remov'd,  and  the  clear  Light      405 

Drawn  from  His  weighty  Reasons,  gave  You  sight 

Of  Your  own  Dangers,  had  not  Their  Intents 

Retarded  been  by  some  cross  Accidents; 

Which  for  a  while  with  fortunate  Suspence 

Check'd  or  diverted  Their  swoln  Insolence:  410 

When  the  whole  Kingdom  for  a  Treaty  cry'd, 

Which  gave  such  credit  to  Your  falling  side, 

That  you  RecalVd  those  Votes,  and  God  once  more 

Your  Power  to  save  the  Kingdome  did  restore? 

Remember  how  Your  peevish  Treators  sate,  415 

Not  to  make  Peace,  but  to  prolong  Debate; 

How  You  that  precious  time  at  first  delay'd, 

And  what  ill  use  of  Your  advantage  made, 

As  if  from  Your  foul  Hands  God  had  decreed 

Nothing  but  War  and  Mischief  should  succeed.  420 

For  when  by  easy  Grants  the  Kings  Assent 

Did  your  Desires  in  greater  things  prevent. 

When  He  did  yield  faster  than  You  intreat, 

And  more  than  Modesty  dares  well  repeat ; 

Yet  not  content  with  this,  without  all  sense  425 

Or  of  His  Honour  or  His  Conscience, 

Still  you  prest  on,  till  you  too  late  descry'd, 

'Twas  now  less  safe  to  stay  than  be  deny'd. 

For  like  a  Flood  broke  loose  the  Armed  Rout, 

Then  Shut  Him  closer  up,  And  Shut  You  out,  430 

Who  by  just  Vengeance  are  since  Worried 

By  those  Hand-wolves  You  for  His  Ruine  bred. 

[151] 


ELEGIES 

Thus  like  Two  smoaking  Firebrands,  You  and  They 
Have  in  this  Smother  choak'd  the  Kingdom's  Day: 
And  as  you  rais'd  Them  first,  must  share  the  Guilt,        435 
With  all  the  Blood  in  those  Distractions  spilt. 
For  though  with  Sampson  s  Foxes  backward  turn'd, 
(When  he  Philistia's  fruitfuU  Harvest  burn'd) 
The  face  of  your  Opinions  stands  averse, 
All  your  Conclusions  but  one  Fire  disperse ;  440 

And  every  Line  which  carries  your  Designs, 
In  the  same  Centre  of  Confusion  joyns. 
Though  then  the  Independants  end  the  Work, 
*Tis  known  they  took  their  Platform  from  the  Kirk; 
Though  Pilate  Bradshaw  with  his  pack  of  Jews,  445 

God's  High  Vice-gerent  at  the  Bar  accuse; 
They  but  reviv'd  the  Evidence  and  Charge, 
Your  poys'nous  Declarations  laid  at  large; 
Though  they  Condemn'd  or  made  his  Life  their  Spoil, 
You  were  the  Setters  forc'd  him  to  the  Toil :  450 

For  you  whose  fatal  hand  the  Warrant  writ, 
The  Prisoner  did  for  Execution  fit ; 
And  if  their  Ax  invade  the  Regal  Throat, 
Remember  you  first  Murther'd  Him  by  Vote. 
Thus  they  receive  your  Tennis  at  the  bound,  455 

Take  off  that  Head  which  you  had  first  Un-crown'd ; 
Which  shews  the  Texture  of  our  Mischiefs  Clew, 
If  Ravell'd  to  the  Top,  begins  in  You, 
Who  have  for  ever  stain'd  the  brave  Intents 
And  Credit  of  our  English  Parliaments:  460 

And  in  this  One  caus'd  greater  Ills,  and  more, 
Than  all  of  theirs  did  Good  that  went  before. 

[152] 


^ 


:^    < 


« 


AN  ELEGY  UPON  KING  CHARLS  THE  FIRST 

Yet  have  You  kept  your  word  against  Your  will, 
Your  King  is  Great  indeed  and  Glorious  still, 
And  You  have  made  Him  so.    We  must  impute  465 

That  Lustre  which  His  Sufferings  contribute 
To  your  preposterous  Wisdoms,  who  have  done 
All  your  good  Deeds  by  Contradiction: 
For  as  to  work  His  Peace  you  rais'd  this  Strife, 
And  often  Shot  at  Him  to  Save  His  Life;  470 

As  you  took  from  Him  to  Encrease  His  wealth, 
And  kept  Him  Pris'ner  to  secure  His  Health; 
So  in  revenge  of  your  dissembled  Spight, 
In  this  last  Wrong  you  did  Him  greatest  Right, 
And  (cross  to  all  You  meant)  by  Plucking  down  475 

Lifted  Him  up  to  His  Eternal  Crown. 

With  this  Encircled  in  that  radiant  Sphear, 
Where  thy  black  Murtherers  must  ne'r  appear  ; 
Thou  from  th'enthroned  Martyrs  Blood-stain'd  Line, 
Dost  in  thy  Virtues  bright  Example  shine.  480 

And  when  thy  Darted  Beam  from  the  moist  Sky 
Nightly  salutes  thy  grieving  Peoples  Eye, 
Thou  like  some  Warning  Light  rais'd  by  our  fears, 
Shalt  both  provoke  and  still  supply  our  Tears, 
Till  the  Great  Prophet  wak'd  from  his  long  Sleep,        485 
Again  bids  Sion  for  Josiah  weep : 
That  all  Successions  by  a  firm  Decree 
May  teach  their  Children  to  Lament  for  Thee. 

Beyond  these  Mournfull  Rites  there  is  no  Art 
Or  Cost  can  Thee  preserve.    Thy  better  Part  490 

Lives  in  despight  of  Death,  and  will  endure 
Kept  safe  in  thy  Unpattern'd  Portraicture: 

[153] 


ELEGIES 


Which  though  in  Paper  drawn  by  thine  own  Hand, 

Shall  longer  than  Corinthian-Marble  stand, 

Or  Iron  Sculptures:    There  thy  matchless  Pen  495 

Speaks  Thee  the  Best  of  Kings  as  Best  of  Men: 

Be  this  Thy  Epitaph;  for  This  alone 

Deserves  to  carry  Thy  Inscription. 

And  'tis  but  modest  Truth:  (so  may  I  thrive 

As  not  to  please  the  Best  of  thine  Alive,  500 

Or  flatter  my  Dead  Master,  here  would  I 

Pay  my  last  Duty  in  a  Glorious  Lye) 

In  that  Admired  Piece  the  World  may  read 

Thy  Virtues  and  Misfortunes  Storied ; 

Which  bear  such  curious  Mixture,  Men  must  doubt     505 

Whether  Thou  Wiser  wert  or  more  Devout. 

There  live  Blest  Relick  of  a  Saint-like  mind, 
With  Honours  endless,  as  Thy  Peace,  Enshrin'd  ; 
Whilst  we,  divided  by  that  Bloody  Cloud, 
Whose  purple  Mists  Thy  Murther'd  Body  shroud,       510 
Here  stay  behind  at  gaze :    Apt  for  Thy  sake 
Unruly  murmurs  now  'gainst  Heav'n  to  make, 
Which  binds  us  to  Live  well,  yet  gives  no  Fence 
To  Guard  her  dearest  Sons  from  Violence. 
But  He  whose  Trump  proclaims.  Revenge  is  mine,        515 
Bids  us  our  Sorrow  by  our  Hope  confine. 
And  reconcile  our  Reason  to  our  Faith, 
Which  in  thy  Ruine  such  Conclusions  hath; 
It  dares  Conclude,  God  does  not  keep  His  Word 
If  Zimri  dye  in  Peace  that  slew  his  Lord.  520 


t 


[154] 


AN  ELEGY  UPON  KING  CHARLS  THE  FIRST 

From  my  sad  Retirement 
March  11.  1648. 

CaroLUs  stUart  reX  an- 
gLIae  seCUre  CoesUs 

Vita  Cessit  trICessIMo 
lanUarll. 


[155] 


POEMS 

33  BZiEGlES, 

In  that  Admired  Piece  the  World  may  read 
Thy  Virtues  and  Misfortunes  Storied  j 
Which  bear  fuch  curious  Mixture,  Men  muft  doubt 
Whether  Thou  ^vifer  wcrt  or  more  Devout. 

There  live  Bleft  Kcllck  of  a  Saint-like  mind> 
With  Honours  endlcfs,  as  Thy  Peace,  Enfhrin'd  5 
Whilft  we,  divided  by  that  Bloody  Cloud, 
Whofe  purple  Mifts  Thy  Murther'd  Body  fhroud. 
Here  flay  behind  at  gaze :  Apt  for  Thy  fab 
llnrnly  murmurs  now  *gainft  Heav'n  to  niake  > 
Which  binds  us  to  Live  welU  yet  gives  no  Fence 
To  Guard  her  deareft  Sons  from  Violence. 
But  He  whofe  Trump  proclaims,  Revenge  iimii^i 
Bids  us  our  Sorrow  by  our  Hope  confine  > 
And  reconcile  our  Keafon  to  our  Vaithy 
Which  in  thy  Ruine  fuch  Condufions  hattV; 
It  dares  Conclude,  God  docs  not  keep  His  Word 
If  Zlmri  dye  in  Peace  that  (lew  hi's  Ldrd, 


From  my  fad  Retirement 
Jiimh  II.    1^48. 

CaroLUs    ST  U  art    reX  an# 
oLIi^  seCUrb   CoesUs 

VIta   CessIt    trICe5«IMo 
JIanUarIL 

{Facsimile  of  the  colophon  in  the  editio  princeps.) 
[156] 


A 

DEEPE  GROANE 
FETCH' D 

At  the  FUNERALL  of  that  incomparable   and   Glorious 
Monarch, 

CHARLES  THE  FIRST, 

King  of  Great  Britaine,  France 
and  Ireland^  l^c. 

On  whose  Sacred  Person  was  acted  that  exe 

arable,  horrid  &  prodigious  Murther,  by  a  trayterous 

Crew  and  bloudy  Combination  at  Westminster 

January  the  30.  1648. 

....  Heu  fausta  Britannia  quondam 

Tota  peris  ea  morte  sua,  Mors  non  fuit  ejus 

Sed  tua,  non  una  haec,  sed  publica  mortis  imago. 

Written  by  D.  H.  K. 
(Device.) 

Printed  in  the  Yeare,  M.  DC.  XL.  IX. 


A  DEEP  GROANE 


A  DEEP  GROANE,  ^c. 

To  speak  our  Griefes  at  full  over  thy  Tombe 

(Great  Soul)  we  should  be  Thunder-struck  and  dumbe: 

The  triviall  Off'rings  of  our  bubling  eyes 

Are  but  faire  Libels  at  such  Obsequies. 

When  Grief  bleeds  inward,  not  to  sense,  'tis  deepe ;  5 

W'have  lost  so  much,  that  t'were  a  sinne  to  weep. 

The  wretched  Bankrupt  counts  not  up  his  summes, 

When  his  inevitable  ruine  comes : 

Our  losse  is  finite  when  we  can  compute ; 

But  that  strike  speechlesse,  which  is  past  recruite.  10 

Ware  sunk  to  sense ;  and  on  the  Ruine  gaze, 

As  on  a  curled  Commets  firie  blaze : 

As  Earth-quakes  fright  us,  when  the  teeming  earth 

Rends  ope  her  bowels  for  a  f atall  birth ; 

As  Inundations  seize  our  trembling  eyes;  15 

Whose  rowling  billows  over  Kingdomes  rise. 

Alas !  our  Ruines  are  cast  up,  and  sped 

In  that  black  Totall — Charles  is  Murthered. 

Rebellious  Gyant  hands  have  broak  that  Pole, 

On  which  our  Orbe  did  long  in  Glory  roule.  20 

That  Roman  Monsters  wish  in  act  we  see 

Three  Kingdomes  necks  have  felt  the  Axe  in  Thee, 

The  Butcherie  is  such,  as  when  by  Caine, 

The  fourth  Devision  of  the  world  was  slaine. 

The  mangled  Church  is  on  the  shambles  lay'd,  25 

Her  Massacre  is  on  thy  Block  display'd, 

Thine  is  thy  peoples  epidemick  Tombe, 

Thy  Sacrifice  a  Num'rous  Hccatonibe. 

[159] 


POEMS 

The  Powder-mine's  now  fir'd ;  we  were  not  freed, 

But  respited  by  Traytours  thus  to  bleed.  30 

Novembers  plots  are  brew'd  and  broach'd  in  worse, 

And  January  now  compleats  the  Curse. 

Our  Lives,  Estates,  Lawes,  and  Religion,  All 

Lie  crush'd,  and  gashing  in  this  dismall  fall. 

Accursed  day  that  blotted'st  out  our  Light!  35 

May'st  thou  be  ever  muffled  up  in  Night. 
At  thy  returne  may  sables  hang  the  skie ; 
And  teares,  not  beames,  distill  from  Heavens  Eye. 
Curs'd  be  that  smile  that  guildes  a  Face  on  thee, 
The  Mother  of  prodigious  Villanie.  40 

Let  not  a  breath  be  wafted,  but  in  moanes; 
And  all  our  words  be  but  articulate  groanes. 
May  all  thy  Kubrick  be  this  dismall  Brand  ; 
Now  comes  the  miscreant  Doomes-day  of  the  Land. 
Good-Friday  wretchedly  transcrib'd;  and  such  45 

As  Horrour  brings  alike,  though  not  so  much. 
May  Dread  still  fill  thy  minutes,  and  we  sit 
Frighted  to  think,  what  others  durst  commit. 

A  Fact  that  copies  Angels  when  they  fell. 
And  justly  might  create  another  Hell.  50 

Above  the  scale  of  Crimes;  Treason  sublim'd, 
That  cannot  by  a  parallel  be  rim'd. 
Raviliack's  was  but  under-graduate  sinne, 
And  Goury  here  a  Pupill  Assassin 

Infidell  wickednesse,  without  the  Pale;  55 

Yet  such  as  justifies  the  Canniball. 
Ryot  Apochyphall  of  Legend  breed ; 
Above  the  Canon  of  a  Jesuites  Creed. 

[160] 


A  DEEP  GROANE 


Spirits  of  witch-craft;  quintessential  guilt; 

Hels  pyramid ;  another  Babell  built.  60 

Monstrous  in  bulke ;  above  our  Fancies  span ; 

A  Behemoth;  a  Crime  Leviathan. 

So  desperately  damnable,  that  here 

Ev'n  Wild  smels  Treason,  and  will  not  appeare. 

That  Murdering-peece  of  the  new  Tyrant-State,  65 

By  whom't  hath  Shot  black  Destinies  of  late; 

He  that  belched  forth  the  Loyall  Burleigh's  doome, 

Recoyles  at  this  so  dreadful  Martyrdome. 

What  depth  of  Terrour  lies  in  that  Offence, 

That  thus  can  grind  a  seared  Conscience  ?  70 

Hellish  Complotment!  which  a  League  renewes, 
Lesse  with  the  men,  then  th 'Actions  of  the  Jewes. 
Such  was  their  Bedlane  Rabble,  and  the  Cry 
Of  Justice  now,  'mongst  them  was  Crucifie: 
Pilates  Consent  is  Bradshawes  Sentence  here ;  75 

The  Judgenicnt-halVs  remov'd  to  Westminster. 
Hayle  to  the  Reeden  Scepture  the  Head,  and  knee 
Act  o're  againe  that  Cursed  Pageantrie. 
The  Caitiffe  crew  in  solemn  pompe  guard  on 
Mock'd  Majestie  as  not  to  th'Block,  but  Throne,  80 

The  Belch  agrees  of  those  envenom'd  Lyes ; 
There  a  Blasphemer,  here  a  Murd'rer  dyes. 
If  that  go  first  in  horror,  this  comes  next, 
A  pregnant  Comment  on  that  gastly  Text. 
The  Heav'ns  ne're  saw,  but  in  that  Tragick  howre,  85 

Slaughter'd  so  great  an  Innocence,  and  Poiuer. 

Bloud-thirsty  Tygers!  could  no  streame  suffise 
T'allay  that  Hell  within  your  Breasts  but  this? 


[161] 


POEMS 

Must  you  needs  swill  in  Cleopatra's  Cup, 

And  drink  the  price  of  Kingdomes  in  a  sup  ?  90 

Cisterns  of  Loyalty  have  deeply  bled, 

And  now  y'have  damm'd  the  Royall  Fountaine  Head, 

Cruell  Phlebotomie!  at  once  to  draine 

The  Median,  and  the  rich  Basilick  veine : 

The  tinctures  great  that  popular  murther  brings,  95 

'Tis  scarlet  deep,  that's  dy'd  in  bloud  of  Kings. 

But  what !  could  Israel  find  no  other  way 
To  their  wish'd  Canaan  than  through  the  Red  Sea? 
Must  God  have  here  his  deading  Fire  and  Cloud, 
And  he  be  th'  Guide  to  this  outragious  Crowd?  100 

Shall  the  black  Conclave  counterfeit  his  hand, 
And  superscribe  their  Guilt,  Divine  Command? 
Doth  th'ugly  Fiend  usurpe  a  Saint-like  grace? 
And  Holy-water  wash  the  Devils  face ! 
Shall  Dagons  Temple  the  mock'd  Arke  inclose?  105 

Can  Esaus  hands  agree  with  Jacob's  voyce  ? 
Must  Molech's  Fire  now  on  the  Altar  burne? 
And  Abel's  bloud  to  Expiation  turne? 
Is  Righteousnesse  so  lewd  a  Bawd  ?  and  can 
The  Bibles  Cover  serve  the  Alcoran?  110 

Thus  when  Hel's  meant.  Religion's  bid  to  shine 
As  Faux  his  Lanterne  lights  him  to  his  Mine. 
Here,  here  is  sins  non  ultra,  when  one  Lie 
Kils  this,  and  stabs  at  Majestic. 

And  though  his  sleepie  Arme  suspend  the  scourge,  115 

Nor  doth  loud  Bloud  in  winged  Vengeance  urge. 
Though  the  soft  houres  a  while  in  pleasures  flie, 
And  conquering  Treason  sing  her  LuUabie. 

[162] 


A  DEEP  GROANE 


The  guilt  at  length  in  fury  he'l  inroule 

With  barbed  Arrows  on  the  trayt'rous  Soule.  120 

Time  may  be  when  that  John-a-Leyden  King 

His  Quarters  to  this  Tombe  an  Offring  bring, 

And  that  Be-Munster'd  Rabble  may  have  eyes 

To  read  the  Price  of  their  deare  Butcheries. 

Yet  if  just  Providence  reprieve  the  Fate,  125 

The  Judgment  will  be  deeper,  though't  be  late. 

And  After-times  shall  feel  the  curse  enhanc'd. 

But  how  much  They've  the  Sinne  bequeath'd,  advanc'd. 

Meane  time  (most  blessed  shade)  the  Loyall  Eye 
Shall  pay  her  Tribute  to  thy  Memorie,  130 

Thy  Aromatick  Name  shall  feast  our  sense, 
'Bove  balmie  Spiknard's  fragrant  Redolence, 
Whilst  on  thy  loathsome  Murderers  shall  dwell 
A  plague-sore,  blayne,  and  rotten  ulcers  smell. 
Wonder  of  Men  and  Goodnesse!  stamp'd  to  be  135 

The  Pride,  and  Flourish  of  all  Historie. 
Thou  hast  undone  the  Annals,  and  engross'd 
All  th'Heroes  Glory  which  the  Earth  e're  lost. 
Thy  Priviledge  'tis  onely  to  commence 
Laureate  in  Sufferings,  and  in  Patience.  140 

Thy  wrongs  were  'bove  all  sweetnesse  to  digest ; 
And  yet  thy  sweetnesse  conquer'd  the  sharp  test: 
Both  so  immense,  and  infinitely  vast. 
The  first  could  not  be  reach'd,  but  by  the  last. 
Meane  Massacres  are  but  in  death  begun  145 

But  Thou  hast  Liv'd  an  Execution. 
Close  coffin'd  up  in  a  deceased  Life; 
Had  Orphan-Children,  and  a  Widow- Wife. 


[163] 


POEMS 


Friends  not  t'approach,  or  comfort,  but  to  mourne 

And  weep  their  unheard  plaints,  as  at  thy  urne?  150 

Such  black  Attendants  Colonied  thy  Cell, 

But  for  thy  Presence,  Carsbrooke  had  been  Hell. 

Thus  basely  to  be  Dungeon'd  would  enrage 

Great  Bajazet  beyond  an  Iron  Cage. 

That  deep  indignity  might  have  layne  155 

Something  the  lighter  from  a  Tamerlaine. 

But  here  Sidonian  Slaves  usurp  the  Reines, 

And  lock  the  Scepter-bearing  Armes  in  chaines. 

The  spew'd-up  surfeit  of  the  glut'nous  Land ; 

Honour'd  by  scorne,  and  cleane  beneath  all  brand.  160 

For  such  a  Varlet-Brood  to  teare  all  downe, 

And  make  a  common  Foot-ball  of  the  Crowne. 

T'insult  on  wounded  Majesty,  and  broach, 

The  bloud  of  Honour  by  their  vile  reproach. 

What  royall  eye  but  thine  could  sober  see,  165 

Bowing  so  low,  yet  bearing  up  so  high? 

What  an  unbroken  sweetness  grac'd  thy  Soule, 

Beyond  the  world,  proud  conquest,  or  controule? 

Maugre  grim  cruelty,  thou  keepst  thy  hold ; 

Thy  thornie  Crowne  was  still  a  Crown  of  Gold.  170 

Chast  Honour,  Might  enrag'd  could  ne're  defloure, 

Though  others  th'Use,  Thou  claim'dst  the  Right  of 

( Power. 
The  brave  Athenian  thus  (with  lopp'd-off  Hands) 
A  stop  to  swelling  sayles  by's  mouth  commands. 
New  Vigour  rouz'd  Thee  still  in  thy  Embroyles,  175 

Antaeus-like,  recruiting  from  the  Foyles. 

[164] 


A  DEEP  GROANE 


Victorious  fury  could  not  terrour  bring, 

Enough  to  quell  a  captivated  King. 

So  did  that  Roman  Miracle  withstand 

H etrurian  shoales,  but  with  a  single  hand.  180 

The  Church  in  thee  had  still  her  Armies;  thus 

The  World  once  fought  with  Athanasius. 

The  Gantlet  thus  upheld ;  It  is  decreed, 

(No  safety  else  for  Treason)  Charles  must  bleed. 

Traytor  and  Soveraigne  now  inverted  meet;  185 

The  wealthy  Olive's  dragg'd  to  th'  Brambles  feet. 

The  Throne  is  metamorphiz'd  to  the  Barre, 

And  despicable  Batts  the  Eagles  dare. 

Astonishment!  yet  still  we  must  admire 

Thy  courage  growing  with  thy  conflicts  high'r.  190 

No  palsied  hands  or  trembling  knees  betray 

That  Cause,  on  which  thy  souls  sure  bottom'd  lay. 

So  free  and  undisturbed  flew  thy  Breath, 

Not  as  condemned  but  purchasing  a  death. 

Those  early  Martys  in  their  funerall  pile,  195 

Embrac'd  their  Flames  with  such  a  quiet  smile. 

Brave  Coeur-de-Lyon  Soule,  that  would'st  not  vayle 

In  one  base  syllable  to  beg  thy  Bayle ! 

How  didst  thou  blush  to  live  at  such  a  price, 

As  ask'd  thy  People  for  a  sacrifice?  200 

Th' Athenian  Prince  in  such  a  pitch  of  zeale, 

Redeem'd  his  destin'd  Hoast,  and  Common-weale ; 

Who  brib'd  his  cheated  Enemies  to  kill, 

And  both  their  Conquest,  and  their  Conquerour  fell. 

Thus  thou  our  Martyr  died'st;  but  oh !  we  stand  205 

A  ransome  for  another  Charles  his  Hand. 


[165] 


POEMS 

One  that  will  write  thy  Chronicle  in  Red, 

And  dip  his  Pen  in  what  thy  Foes  have  bled. 

Shall  Treas'nous  Heads  in  purpule  Caldrons  drench, 

And  with  such  veines  the  Flames  of  Kingdomes  quench. 

Then  thou  art  least  at  Westminster ,  shall't  be  211 

Fil'd  in  the  Pompous  List  of  Majestic. 

Thy  Mausalceum  shall  in  glory  rise, 

And  Teares,  and  wonder  force  from  Nephews  Eyes. 

Till  when  (though  black-mouth'd  Miscreants  engrave) 

No  Epitaph,  but  Tyrant,  on  thy  Grave.  216 

A  Vault  of  Loyalty  shall  keep  thy  Name, 

An  Orient,  and  bright  OUbian  flame 

On  which,  when  times  succeeding  foot  shall  tread. 

Such  Characters  as  these  shall  there  be  read.  220 

Here  CHARLES  the  best  of  Monarchs,  butcher'd 
The  Glory  of  all  Martyrologies.  (lies; 

Bulwark  of  Law ;  the  Churches  Cittadell ; 
In  whom  they  triumph'd  once,  with  whom  they  fell: 
An  English  Salotnon,  a  Constantine;  225 

Pandect  of  Knowledge,  Humane  and  Divine. 
Meek  even  to  wonder,  yet  of  stoutest  Grace, 
To  sweeten  Majesty,  but  not  debase. 
So  whole  made  up  of  clemency,  the  Throne 
And  Mercy-seat  to  Him  were  alwayes  one.  230 

Inviting  Treason  with  a  pardoning  look. 
Instead  of  Gratitude,  a  stab  He  took. 
With  passion  lov'd ;  that  when  He  murd'red  lay, 
Heav'n  conquered  seem'd,  and  Hell  to  bear  the  sway. 
A  Prince  so  richly  good,  so  blest  a  Reigne,  235 

The  world  ne're  saw  but  once,  nor  can  againe. 

[166] 


A  DEEP  GROANE 


....  Humano  generi  Natura  benigni 
Nil  dedit,  aut  tribuet  moderato  hoc  principe  major 
In  quo  vera  dei,  vivensque  eluxit  imago : 
Hunc  quoniam  scelerata  cohors  violavit,  acerbas      240 
Sacrilego  Deus  ipse  petet  de  Sanguine  poenas 
Contemptumque    sin    Simulachri    haud    linquet 

(inultum. 
Parodia  ex  Buchanani  Geneth:  Jacobi  sexti. 

FINIS. 


[167] 


POEMS 


EPIGRAM 

Quid  faciant  Leges,  vbi  sola  pecunia  regnatf  &c. 
Petron.  Arbit. 

To  what  serue  Lawes,  where  only  Money  reignes? 
Or  where  a  poore  mans  cause  no  right  obtaines  ? 
Even  those  that  most  austerity  praetend, 
Hire  out  their  Tongues,  and  wordes  for  profit  lend. 

What's  Judgment  then,  but  publick  merchandize? 

And  the  Court  sits,  but  to  allow  the  price. 


EPIGRAM 

Casta  suo  gladium  cum  traderet  Arria  Paeto,  &c. 

Martial. 

When  Arria  to  hir  Paetus  had  bequeath'd 
The  sword  in  hir  chast  bosome  newly  sheath'd ; 
Trust  mee  (qth  shee)  My  owne  wound  feeles  no  smart; 
'Tis  thine  (My  Paetus)  grieues  and  kills  my  heart. 


[168] 


EPIGRAM 


EPIGRAM 

Qui  Pelago  credit,  magno  se  faenore  tollit,  &c. 
Petron.  Arbit. 

He  whose  advent'rous  keele  ploughes  ye  rough  Seas, 

Takes  Interest  of  Fate  for  wealthes  encrease. 

He  that  in  Battaile  trafficks,  and  pitch't  Fieldes, 

Reapes  wth  his  Sword  rich  Harvests,  wch  warre  yeelds. 

Base  parasites  repose  their  drunken  heads,  5 

Laden  wth  Sleep  and  wine,  on  Tyrian  beds ; 

And  he  that  meltes  in  Lustes  adult'rous  fire, 

Gets  both  reward  and  pleasure  for  his  hire. 

But  Learning  only,  midd'st  this  wanton  heat. 

Hath  (saue  it  self)  nothing  to  weare  or  eat;  10 

Faintly  exclaiming  on  the  looser  Times, 

That  value  Wit  and  Artes  below  their  Crimes. 


EPIGRAM 

Pro  captu  lectoris  habent  sua  fata  libelli. 

The  fate  of  Bookes  is  diverse  as  mans  Sense: 
Two  Criticks  ne're  shar'd  one  intelligence. 


[169] 


ADDITIONAL  POEMS 
HITHERTO  UNPRINTED. 


UPON  YE  UNTIMELY  DEATH  OF  J.  K. 


Upon  y^  untimely  death  of  J.  K.  first  borne  of  HK. 

Blessed  Spirit,  thy  Infant  breath 

Fitter  for  the  Quire  of  Saints 

Than  for  Mortalls  here  beneath, 

Warbles  Joyes;  but  mine  Complaints: 

Plaints  that  spring  from  that  great  Losse  5 

Of  thy  Litle  Self,  sad  crosse. 

Yet  doe  I  still  repair  thee  by  desire 

Wch  warmes  my  benumb  sense,  but  like  false  fire. 

But  wth  such  delusive  Shapes 

Still  my  pensive  thoughts  are  eas'd.  10 

As  Birds  bating  att  mocke-grapes 

Are  wth  empty  errour  pleas'd. 

Yet  I  erre  not:  for  decay 

Hath  but  seis'd  thy  House  of  clay 
For  loo  the  lively  Image  of  each  part  15 

Makes  deep  impression  on  my  waxy  heart. 

Thus  learn  I  to  possess  the  thing  I  want ; 

Having  great  store  of  thee,  &  yet  great  scant. 

O,  lett  mee  thus  recall  thee,  nor  repine. 

Since  what  is  thy  Fate  now,  must  once  bee  mine.        20 


[173] 


POEMS 

To  one  that  demaunded 
why  the  wine  sparkles. 

Wee  doe  not  give  the  wine  a  sparkling  name 
As  if  wee  meant  those  sparkes  employ'd  a  flame; 
The  flame  lyes  in  our  bloud :  And  tis  desire 
Fed  by  loose  appetite  setts  us  on  fire. 

[Then  follow  the  last  four  lines  of  the  printed  version; 
i.e.,  sup.  p.  40,  lines  13-16.] 

To  a  Lady  that  sent  mee  a 
Coppy  of  Verses  at  my  going  to  Bed. 

Doubtlesse  the  Thespian  Spring  doth  overflow 

His  Learned  bank:  Else  how  should  Ladyes  grow 

Such  Poets?  as  to  court  th'unknowing  time 

In  verse,  &  entertaine  their  Friends  in  Rhime. 

Or  you  some  Sybill  are,  sent  to  unty  5 

The  knotty  Riddles  of  all  Poetry; 

Whilst  your  smooth  Numbers  such  perfections  tell, 

As  prove  your  self  a  Moderne  Oracle. 

[Then  follow  the  last  ten  lines  of  the  printed  version; 
i.e.,  sup.  p.  20,  lines  13-16,  p.  21,  lines  1-6.] 

EPIGRAM 

Nolo  quod  cupio  statlm  tenere; 

Nee  victoria  mi  placet  parata.    Petron:  Arb: 

I  would  not  in  my  Love  too  soone  prevaile: 
An  easy  Conquest  makes  the  purchase  stale. 

[174] 


DOUBTFUL  POEMS. 


A  CONTEMPLATION  UPON  FLOWERS 


A  Contemplation  upon  Flowers: 

Brave  flowers,  that  I  could  gallant  it  like  you 

and  be  as  little  vaine, 

you  come  abroad,  and  make  a  harmelesse  shew, 

and  to  your  bedds  of  Earth  againe  ; 

you  are  not  proud,  you  know  your  birth  5 

for  your  Embroiderd  garments  are  from  Earth : 

You  doe  obey  your  moneths,  and  times,  but  I 

would  have  it  ever  springe, 

my  fate  would  know  noe  winter,  never  dye 

nor  thinke  of  such  a  thing;  10 

Oh  that  I  could  my  bed  of  Earth  but  view 

and  Smile,  and  looke  as  chearefully  as  you: 

Oh  teach  me  to  see  death,  and  not  to  feare 

but  rather  to  take  truce; 

how  often  have  I  seene  you  at  a  Beere,  15 

and  there  looke  fresh  and  spruce ; 

you  fragrant  flowers  then  teach  me  that  my  breath 

Like  yours  may  sweeten,  and  perfume  my  death. 


[177] 


POEMS 


[THE  COMPLAINT] 

Fond,  haples  man,  lost  in  thy  vain  desire; 

Thy  lost  desire, 

May  now  retire. 
Shee,  like  a  salamander,  in  thy  Flame, 

Sports  wth  Loves  Name ;  5 

And,  lives  ye  same, 
Vncingd,  impenetrably  cold. 
Sure,  careles  Boy,  thou  slepst :  and  Death  instead 

Of  thine,  convey'd 

His  Dart  of  Lead.  10 

This  thou  unluckily  att  hir  hast  sent ; 

Who  now^  is  bent 

Not  to  relent. 
Though  thou  spend  all  thy  shafts  of  Gold. 
I  prethee  filch  another  Fatall  Dart:  15 

And  peirce  my  Heart, 

To  ease  this  smart. 
Strike  all  my  senses  dull.    Thy  Force  devoures 

Mee,  &  my  Powers, 

In  taedious  Houres;  20 

And  thy  iniustice  He  proclame 
Or  vse  some  Art  to  cause  hir  Heat  returne ; 

Or  whilst  I  burne. 

Make  hir  my  Vrne. 
Where  I  may  bury  in  a  Marble  chest,  25 

All  my  Vnrest. 

Thus  hir  cold  Brest, 
Yf  it  but  lodge,  will  quench,  my  Flame. 

[178] 


ON  HIS  SHADDOW 


[On  his  Shaddow :~\ 

Come,  my  Shaddow,  constant,  true, 

Stay  &  doe  not  fly  mee: 
When  I  court  thee,  or  would  sue. 

Thou  willt  not  denie  mee. 
Faemale  Loves  I  find  unkind,  5 

And  devoyde  of  Pittie ; 
Therefore  I  have  chang'd  my  mind, 

And  to  thee  frame  this  dittie. 
Child  of  my  Bodie,  &  that  Flame 

From  whence  our  Light  were  borrow;         10 
Thou  continuest  still  the  same 

In  my  Joy,  or  Sorrow. 
Though  thou  lov'st  the  Sunshine  best 

Or  enlighten'd  places, 
Yet  thou  doest  not  flye,  but  rest,  15 

'Midst  my  black  disgraces. 
Thou  would 'st  have  all  Happy  Dayes 

When  thou  art  approching: 
No  Cloud,  nor  Night  do  dime  bright  rayes 

By  their  sad  encroching.  20 

Let  but  glimmering  Lights  appear 

To  banish  Night's  obscuring; 
Thou  wilt  shew  thou  harbourd'st  nere 

By  my  side  enduring. 
And  when  thou  art  forc't  away  25 

By  ye  sun's  declining. 
Thy  Length  is  doubled,  to  repay, 

Thy  Absence,  whilst  hee's  shining. 

[179] 


POEMS 

As  I  flatter  not  thee  Fair, 

So  thou  art  not  Fading.  30 

Age  nor  sicknes,  can  impair 

Thy  Hue,  b}'  feirce  invading. 
Lett  ye  purest  varnish't  Clay 

Art  can  shew,  or  Nature, 
Veiw  the  Shades  they  cast;  &  they  35 

Grow  duskish  like  thy  Faeture. 
'Tis  thy  Truth  I  most  comend ; 

That  thou  art  not  fleeting. 
For  as  I  embrace  my  Freind, 

So  thou  giv'st  him  greeting.  40 

Yf  I  strike,  or  keep  ye  peace. 

So  thou  seem'st  to  threaten, 
And  single  blowes  by  thy  increase 

Leave  my  Foe  double  beaten. 
As  thou  find'st  mee  walke,  or  sitt,  45 

Standing,  or  downe  lying. 
Thou  doest  all  my  postures  hitt, 

Most  Apish  in  thy  prying. 
When  our  Actions  so  consent, 

(Expressions  dumb,  but  locall,)  50 

Words  are  needles  Complement, 

Else  I  could  wish  thee  vocall 
Hadst  thou  but  a  soul,  wth  sense 

And  Reason  sympathising 
Earth  could  match,  nor  heav'n  dispense  55 

A  Mate  so  farr  entising. 
Nay,  when  bedded  in  ye  Dust 

'Mongst  shades  I  have  my  biding, 

[180] 


WISHES  TO  MY  SONNE  JOHN 


Tapers  can  see  thy  Posthume  trust 

Within  my  vault  residing.  60 

Had  heav'n  so  plyant  Women  made, 

Or  thou  their  Souls  couldst  marry 
Fid  soone  resolve  to  wedd  my  shade, 

This  Love  would  ne'r  miscarry. 
But  they  thy  Lightnes  onely  share;  65 

Yf  shunn'd,  the  more  they  follow: 
And  to  Pursuers  peevish  are 

As  Daphne  to  Apollo. 
Yet  this  experience  Thou  hast  taught : 

A  Shee-Freind,  and  an  Honour,  70 

Like  thee;  nor  That,  nor  Shee,  is  caught 

Vnles  I  fall  vpon  hir. 

Wishes  to  my  sonne  John,  for  this  new, 
and  all  succeeding  yeares:  Jan.  I.    1630: 

If  wishes  may  enrich  my  Boy, 

my  Jack,  that  art  thy  fathers  Joy, 

they  shall  be  showr'd  upon  thy  head 

as  thick  as  manna,  Angells  bread ; 

And  bread  I  wish  thee,  this  short  word  5 

will  furnish  both  thy  backe,  and  boord; 

not  fortunatus  purse,  or  Capp, 

nor  danaes  gold-replenisht  Lapp 

can  more  supply  thee ;  but  content 

is  a  large  patrimony,  sent  10 

from  him  who  did  thy  soule  infuse, 

maist  thou  this  best  endowment  use 

[181] 


POEMS 

in  any  state;   Thy  structure  is 

I  see  compleate;    A  frontispice 

promising  faire ;  may  it  nere  bee  15 

Like  Jesuites  volumes,  where  we  see 

Vertues,  and  Saints  adorne  the  front, 

doctrines  of  deuills  follow  on't: 

may  a  pure  soule  inhabite  still 

this,  well  mixt  clay ;  and  a  streight  will  20 

By  act  by  Reason,  that  by  grace  ; 

May  Gemmes  of  price  maintaine  their  place 

in  such  a  Caskett:     For  that  list 

Chast  Turkois,  sober  Amethist, 

that  sacred  breast  plate  still  surround.  25 

Urim,  and  Thummim  be  there  found, 

which  for  thy  wearing  I  designe 

that  in  thee  Kinge  and  priest  may  Joyne: 

As  'twas  thy  Grandsires  choice,  and  mine 

maist  thou  attaine  John  the  diuine  30 

chiefe  of  thy  Titles;  though  Contempt 

now  brand  the  Clergie ;  bee  exempt 

I  euer  wish  thee,  from  each  vice 

that  may  that  Calling  scandalize: 

Let  not  thy  tongue  with  court  oyle  flow,  35 

nor  Supple  Language  lay  thee  low 

for  thy  preferment ;  make  Gods  cause 

thy  pulpits  taske,  not  thine  applause ; 

maist  thou  both  preach  by  Line,  and  life; 

That  thou  Hue  well  and  Chaste,  a  Wife  40 

I  wish  thee,  such  as  is  thy  Sires, 

a  lawfull  helpe  'gainst  lustfuU  fires; 

[182] 


IN  OBITUM  SANCTISSIMI 


And  though  promotions  often  frowne 

on  marryed  browes,  yet  lye  not  downe 

in  single  bawdry;  impure  monkes  45 

that  banish  wedlock,  license  punkes; 

Peace  I  doe  wish  thee  from  those  warres 

which  Gowne-men  talke  out  at  the  Barres 

some  times  a  yeare;  I  wish  thee  peace 

of  Conscience,  Country,  and  encrease  50 

in  all  that  best  of  men  commends, 

favour  with  God,  good  men  thy  friends; 

Last,  for  a  lasting  legacy 

I  this  bequeath,  when  thou  shalt  dye 

Heauens  monarch  blesse  mine  eyes,  to  see  55 

my  wishes  crowned,  in  crowning  thee. 


[/«  obitum  sanctissimi  viri  Di.  Dris.  Spenseri 

C:  C :  C:  nuper  Praesidis  et  spectatissimi 

sui  amici 

ELEGUS.] 

If  this  tru  sorrow  counted  be  with  fatall  Cypresse 

bowes 
Or  palish  twiggs  of  poplar  tree  to  binde  our  mourne- 

full  browes 
Or   to   transforme    to    direfull   shapes   our   variable 

lookes 
Or  moisten  dry  and  witherd  cheakes  with  wett  and 

weeping  brookes 

[183] 


POEMS 

What  store  of  dropps,  what  show'rs  of  teares  should       5 

flow  then  from  mine  eyes 
What  fun'rall  rites  then  should  I  pay  to  thy  sad 

exequies. 
But  plaininge  words,  and  bablinge  greafe  do  nought 

prevaile  at  all 
They  ill  befitt  both  my  small  quill,  and  thy  greate 

funerall 
For  who  so  doth  lament  thy  death  or  straine  a  faigned 

crie 
Or  on  the  earth  doth  grovelinge  looke,  with  a  downe     10 

fixed  eye 
He  rather  doth  expresse  his  greafe,  showinge  how't 

should  be  done 
Then  feel't  himselfe.     It's  not  one  thinge  to  babble 

much;  and  mone. 
Nor  weeps  he  wch  with  sobbrie  blurrs  his  paper  white 

bismeares 
For  they  are  more  Rhetorical!,  then  tru  affected  teares 
Lett  those  mourne  so,  who  often  vse  such  solemne     15 

rites  to  keep 
Who  by  sett  methode  can  lament,  who  by  their  Jrt 

can  weepe. 
Or  who  with  common  vulgare  greafe  deplore  on  thy 

sad  grave 
Or  not  that  du  doe  render  thee  wch  thy  deserts  doe 

crave 
I  loath  such  meanes  by  wch  most  men  their  sorrowes 

doe  bewray 

[184] 


IN  OBITUM  SANCTISSIMI 


To  vente  my  greafe  I  must  finde  out  a  more  efFectuall     20 

way 
He  therefore  elevate  my  heart,  vpp  to  mine  Optick 

Spheares 
And  theare  dissolve  it  into  sighs,  and  melt  it  into 

teares 
And  sine  I  can  noe  greater  debts  pay  to  thy  mourne- 

fuU  hearse 
Lett  it  suffice  to  decke  the  same,  with  a  teare-stillinge 

vearse 
Or  else  I'le  smother  vpp  my  greafe  within  my  seacrete     25 

breast 
For  I  a  wittness  to  my  teares  abhorre  and  eke  detest. 


[185] 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  NOTE. 

The  MSS.  referred  to  in  the  Notes  to  the  present 
edition  are  in  verj^  few  cases  from  Henry  King's  own 
hand.  They  are  for  the  most  part  simply  "commonplace 
books,"  albums  of  verse,  or  casual  stray  collections,  which 
possess  critical  value  only  because  of  the  peculiar  publish- 
ing conditions  or  customs  in  this  period.  Much  more 
important  than  these  codices,  however,  which  are  mere 
haphazard  copying  or  jotting  down  of  single  poems  by 
many  different  poets,  the  scribes  never  being  named  and 
the  authors  seldom  so,  are  the  "MS.  volumes"  devoted 
to  the  work  of  a  single  writer, — carefully  written  compila- 
tions which  were  circulated  before  the  author  or  some 
piratical  publisher  printed  his  collected  effusions.  One 
such  "MS.  volume"  of  Henry  King's  poems  is  in  the 
Bodleian  Library  and  has  been  collated  for  this  edition; 
another,  which  has  since  disappeared,  was  collated  by 
Hannah ;  and  there  are  traces  of  two  more. 

Aside  from  certain  poems  contributed  to  "Jonsonus 
Virbius,"  Sandys'  "Paraphrase,"  "The  Swedish  Intelli- 
gencer," and  the  first  edition  of  Donne's  poems,  Henry 
King's  first  published  English  poems  were  his  two  Elegies 
on  King  Charles  I,  dated  1649.  The  first  of  these 
(137-155,  sup.)  was  subsequently  reprinted  and  bound 
up  with  the  other  additional  Elegies  in  the  1664  re-issue 
of  his  collected  poems.  The  second  (pp.  157-167,  sup.), 
twice  reprinted  in  1649,  is  here  for  the  first  time  restored 
to  its  place  among  his  collected  poems. 

[187] 


POEMS 

King's  volume  of  poems  appeared  first  in  1657,  in 
circumstances  best  explained  by  the  printer-publishers 
themselves  in  their  Preface  reprinted  on  pages  9-11, 
sup.  The  unsold  copies  of  this  edition  were  re-issued  in 
1664,  with  a  slightly  different  title-page  reproduced  in 
facsimile  on  p.  7,  sup.  Finally,  the  remaining  copies 
were  again  re-issued  in  1700,  with  a  new  variant  of  the 
title-page  now  bearing  the  preposterous  ascription  of  the 
whole  volume  to  "Ben  Johnson." 

Selected  "Poems  and  Psalms  by  Henry  King  D  D" 
appeared  in  1843,  edited  by  Rev.  J.  Hannah  and  published 
by  William  Pickering,  London. 

Smaller  selections,  without  annotation,  are  T.  B. 
Mosher's  in  "The  Bibelot,"  Portland,  Maine,  for  March, 
1897,  and  J.  R.  Tutin's  in  No.  V  of  "The  Orinda  Book- 
lets," Cottingham  near  Hull,  England,  1904. 

For  the  sake  of  completeness,  it  may  be  stated  further 
that  King's  "The  Psalms  of  David  from  the  New  Trans- 
lation of  the  Bible,  Turned  into  Meter,"  was  published 
first  in  1651;  re-issued,  with  a  few  additions,  in  1654; 
republished  in  a  genuine  second  edition,  in  1671;  and 
finally  included  in  part  (to  the  extent  of  fifteen  Psalms 
and  four  Hymns  or  Prayers)  in  Playford's  "Psalms  & 
Hymns  in  Solemn  Musick,"  1671. 

His  published  sermons  appeared  singly  for  the  most 
part,  in  the  j^ears  1621,  1625,  1626,  1627  (two  bound 
together),  1628  (eleven  bound  together;  2d  ed.,  1634), 
1640,  1661  (2d  ed.,  1713),  1662,  1663,  and  1665.  To 
these  theological  writings  must  be  added  the  brief 
"Articles"  of  his  "first  Episcopal  Visitation,"  1662. 

[188] 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  NOTE 


His  Latin  and  Greek  Verse,  and  some  of  his  Letters, 
appeared  or  have  since  been  published  scatteringly  in 
various  places  calling  for  more  detailed  mention  than  can 
be  vouchsafed  in  the  present  brief  summary.  (For  com- 
plete Bibliography,  cf.  "Transactions  of  the  Connecticut 
Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,"  vol.  xviii,  260-289 ;  Yale 
University  Press,  1913.) 


[189] 


NOTES 

upon  a  Table-Book. 

14,1  "Table-book":  book  of  tables  or  tablets,  i.e.,  blank 
pages. 

The    Fareivell. 

15, 1     The  authorship  of  a  very  similar  piece  is  discussed  in 
a  note,  p.  226    (3),  inf.     The  Latin  motto  was  apparently 
taken  from  Sidney's  sonnet  beginning  "Leave  me,  O  Love, 
which  reachest  but  to  dust,"  for  no  other  occurrence  of  the 
sentence  has  been  noticed. 
15,4,  5     Malone  MS.  22,  fol.  13v.,  reads  as  follows: 
To  dote  on  those  that  lov'd  not,  &  to  fly 
Love  that  woo'd  mee.    Goe,  bane  of  my  content, 

16,21,22     Ibid.: 

And  for  an  Epitaph,  the  Rock  shall  groane 
Eternally:  if  any  ask  the  Stone 

A  Black-moor  Maid  and  The  Boyes  Ansiver. 

16, 17  These  two  pieces  were  exceedingly  popular,  if  we  may 
judge  by  the  number  of  MSS.  in  which  they  appear,  by 
the  frequent  handling  of  the  same  theme  by  other  poets, 
and  by  the  appearance  of  an  anonymous  third  "stanza"  in 
rejoinder  (cf.  Sloane  MS.  1446,  fol.  71v.).  Thus  numerous 
variations  in  detail  naturally  appear,  the  most  important 
of  which  are  the  exchange  of  roles,  making  the  Boy  the 
wooer,  and  the  shortening  of  the  last  line  in  both  "stanzas" 
from  an  alexandrine  to  a  pentameter.  Who  "Hen. 
Rainolds"  may  have  been  does  not  appear.  Wood  mentions 
no  one  of  this  name.  He  may  have  been  the  author  of 
"Mythomystes,"  with  whom  Drayton  corresponded  in  verse. 
And  several  of  the  songs  in  Lawes'  "Ayres  and  Dialogues," 
1653  and  16SS,  are  signed  by  this  name,  but  "A  Black-moor 
Maid"  is  not  among  them. 

[191] 


NOTES 

Sonnet:  Go  thou  that  vainly. 

20, 4    "Slumber"    is    here    a    transitive    verb,    witii    "pain"    as 
direct  object. 

Sonnet:  Tell  me  you  stars. 

24, 1     In  one  MS.,  this  piece  is  entitled  "Love  ill  Requited,"  and 
line  10  begins:  "Wch  I  suppose  does  in." 

Sonnet:  I  Prethee. 

25,10     "Turnes":  that  sun  which  turns  sooty    (i.e.,  tans)    the 
Indian. 

Sonnet:  Dry  those  fair. 

25, 1     In  one  MS.,   this  piece   is  entitled  "To   his   discontented 
Mrs." 

Sonnet:  When  I  entreat. 

26, 1     In   the   MSB.,   this   piece   is   entitled   "To   a   Faire   Lady 
Weeping,"  or  "To  A  discouraged  Sutor." 

To  a  Lady. 

26, 1     For  an  earlier  version  of  this  piece,  cf.  p.  174,  sup.,  and 
Note, 

The  Pink. 

27,  1     In  the  Editio  Princeps  this  emendation  appears  in  the  list 

of  Errata  printed  on  the  last  page  of  the  original  volume: 
"Page  2.  The  Pink  never  wrote  by  the  Author  of  these 
Poems."  The  typographical  and  grammatical  blunders  do 
not  enhance  the  critical  authority  of  this  statement,  and  it 
is  controverted  by  several  MS.  ascriptions  to  King. 

28,  19     The  original  list  of  Errata  supplies  a  necessary  emen- 

dation, concurred  in  by  the  MSS.:  "aire"  for  "she." 

[192] 


NOTES 

To  his  Friends  of  Christ-Church. 

28,  1  This  special  performance  of  Barton  Holiday's  "Texno- 
tamia:  or  The  Marriages  of  the  Arts,"  given  at  Wood- 
stock before  the  King,  August  26,  1621,  occasioned  an 
inter-university  war  of  wits  in  which  the  capital  and  court 
did  not  disdain  to  join. 

28. 3  George  Ruggle's  clever  Macaronic  satire,  "Ignoramus," 
went  through  ten  editions  between  1630  and  1787.  Its  two 
performances  before  the  King,  at  Cambridge,  March  8  and 
May  13,  1615,  provoked  Oxford's  attempt  to  achieve  a 
similar  success  and  at  least  share  in  the  royal  approbation 
and  favor.  Henry  King's  outspoken  indignation  and 
chagrin  indicate  the  extent  of  Oxford's  failure  and  dis- 
appointment. 

28. 4  A  hobby-horse  figures  in  a  broadly  farcical  passage  in 
each  play,  but  Ruggle's  use  of  the  device  is  certainly  far 
more  clever  and  amusing  than  Holiday's. 

28, 11-14  Perhaps  some  light  is  here  cast  on  the  vexed  question 
of  Malvolio's  Puritanism  (cf.  Furness'  Variorum  "Twelfth 
Night,"  pp.  397-402). 

The   Surrender. 

29, 1  This  piece  is  variously  entitled  in  the  MSS.,  "An  Elegy," 
"A  Farwell  to  his  beloved  Mistris,"  or  "The  mournefull 
partinge  of  Tow  Lovers  beinge  caused  by  ye  disproportion 
of  estates,"  and  line  14  sometimes  reads:  "And  chaste 
embraces  such  as  never  brake." 

29,5-8  Headley  ("Select  Beauties,"  1810,  II,  96)  calls  atten- 
tion to  Pope's  adaptation  of  these  lines,  in  "Eloisa  to 
Abelard,"  8,  9. 

The  Legacy. 
31, 19     "Cast  ragge":  cf.  36,  12. 

32,31,32  A  reference  to  the  classical  myth  of  Venus  and 
Adonis. 

[193] 


NOTES 

The  Short  Wooing. 

33,  9-12  As  love  springs  into  existence  at  first  sight  or  not  at 
all,  so  judgment  also  should  be  delivered  at  first  sight. 

To  his  unco7istant  Friend. 
36,7     "Banes":   representing  MS.   abbreviation  of  "bann(e)s." 

36,  11     This  misprint,  "lad,"  appears  in  all  the  original  printed 

copies,  but  is  corrected  in  various  MSS.  to  "lay'd"  or  "laid." 

Another  MS.  emendation  is  "had  perisht"  for  "do  perish," 

in  line  16. 
36,12     Cf.  31,  19 
36,23-34     A  strangely  exact  parallel  is  afforded  by  "Le  Roman 

de    la    Rose,"    ed.    'Pierre    Marteau,'    Orleans,    1878,    lines 

17,261-8. 

37,  59     Obviously,  a  reference  to  Ariosto,  not  to  "As  You  Like 

It." 

Madam   Gabrina. 

38, 1  Henry  King  is  by  no  means  the  worst  offender  among  the 
many  versifiers  who  followed  the  unsavory  lead  of  Horace 
(cf.  line  8)  and  Martial  in  dealing  with  this  theme.  The 
Spanish  motto,  indicating  the  fashionable  linguistic  affecta- 
tion of  the  day  (cf.  p.  82,  line  43,  sup.),  signifies  literally: 
"With  a  bad  Woman  the  remedy  (is)  much  ground  in 
between." 

38,7  "Orpment":  orpiment,  auripigment,  a  yellow  dye;  tri- 
sulphide  of  arsenic. 

39,  18  "Ember  weeks,"  periods  of  fasting  and  abstention  from 
flesh,  would  of  course  emphasize  especially  the  industry  of 
"Fishstreet." 

39,21     "Bulleins    Bulwarke    of    defence    against    all    Sickness, 

Sornes,  and  Woundes Gathered  and  practised  from 

the  moste  worthie  learned,  both  old  and  newe,  to  the  greate 
comforte    of    mankinde:"    London,    1562,    records    on    fol. 

[194] 


NOTES 

LXXXI  the  prevailing  opinion  as  to  the  sanative  value  of 
the  fox  against  "all  Coldnesse,  Palsey,  and  the  contraxion 
of  the  sinewes,  and  trembling  of  the  body." 
40,44  "Night-peece" :  cf.  p.  88,  32.  King's  sermons  supply 
illustrations:  "But  peradventure  it  was  a  night-piece,  and 
not  fit  to  be  perused  by  every  light.  Well,  then,  apply  their 
owne  Ignis  fatiius  to  it"  (1621,  p.  54).  "If  ever  Rest  were 
drawen  to  the  life,  'tis  in  that  most  exact  Night-peece, 
Death"  (1627,  p.  24). 

The  Defence. 

40,  1  In  the  MSS.  this  piece  is  entitled,  "A  Lover  to  one  yt 
misiudged  his  Mrs."  The  Spanish  motto  signifies:  "Lovers 
think  that  others  have  unsound  eyes";  the  comma  should  be 
omitted,  and  the  last  two  words  printed  as  one. 

40,3     "Form":  Latin  "forma,"  beauty. 

40,  12     Win  my  free  suffrage,  or  gratify  my  free  taste. 

To  One  demanding. 

41, 1     For  an  earlier  version  of  this  piece,  cf.  p.  174,  sup.,  and 

Note. 
42,26     "Carthusian,"  a  monk  of  this  ascetic  order;  "Rechabite," 

cf.  Jeremiah,  XXXV. 

On  the  birth  of  the  Prince. 

42,1  Prince  v^I  'es,  later  King  Charles  II,  is  the  subject  of 
this  piece.  The  astronomical  allusions  in  42,  10  and 
44,64  are  explained  by  the  title  of  some  lines  in  Malone 
MS.  21,  fol.  3:  "On  ye  birth  of  Pr:  Charles  May  29,  1630 
wn  a  star  appeared  next  day  at  noone,  &  an  Eclipse  of  ye 
Sun  the  next  day  following."  The  various  contemporaneous 
accounts  differ  irreconcilably  as  to  the  day  and  hour  when 
these  celestial  portents  were  vouchsafed. 

[195] 


NOTES 


44, 47  The  metre  may  readily  be  amended  by  adopting  the 
reading  inscribed  in  early  MS.  in  one  of  the  British 
Museum's  copies  of  the  original  edition,  1664  re-issue:  "But 
here  with  fate  we  dally,"  etc. 

45, 67-72  May  Charles  I  transfer  his  virtue  to  his  son,  by 
training,  and  thus  the  Prince  may  be  crowned  (with 
virtu?)   but  not  at  the  cost  of  Charles  I's  death. 

On  the  King's  return. 

45, 1  Charles'  expedition  was  by  no  means  a  wise  or  successful 
one  (to  receive  the  crown  of  Scotland,  June  18,  1633)  ;  so 
King  does  well  to  avoid  touching  upon  the  political  aspects 
of  the  event. 

To  the  Queen  at  Oxford. 

47, 1  Probably  addressed  to  Queen  Henrietta  Maria,  during 
her  visit  to  Oxford  in  1636;  but  the  date  cannot  be  definitely 
fixed. 

On  his  Majesties  Ship  the  Soveraign. 

49,  1  Hannah  (p.  209)  cites  Evelyn's  Diary,  under  date  of 
February  2,  1696,  to  show  the  dates  of  building  and  destruc- 
tion: "The  Royal  Sovereign  man  of  war  was  burnt  at  Chat- 
ham. It  was  built  in  1637,  and  having  given  occasion  to  the 
levy  of  Ship-money  was  perhaps  the  cause  of  all  the  after- 
troubles  to  this  day."  This  is  an  excessive  imputation;  but 
the  building  of  the  ship  was  a  very  unpopular  and  impoli- 
tic enterprise,  and  the  various  poetic  eulogies  c^uld  have 
aroused  little  applause  outside  of  the  court.  Henry  King 
again  attempted  to  vindicate  his  ro^ai  master  in  his  Anni- 
versary Sermon,  at  Paul's,  1640,  pp.  52,  53. 

49,3     "Blew":  cf.  Milton's  "Comus,"  line  26. 

49,18  "Tires":  broadsides,  volleys;  or  perhaps  for  "tiers"  or 
rows  of  guns,  as  suggested  by  the  form,  "Tyers,"  in  which 
the  word  appears  in  Ashmole  MS.  38,  fol.  141,  where  the 
piece  is  entitled  "On  the  Great  shipp." 

[196] 


NOTES 

Epitaph  on  the  Earl  of  Dorset. 

50, 1  Richard  Sackville,  third  Earl  of  Dorset,  who  died  March 
28,  1624,  at  the  age  of  35,  is  here  lamented.  This  piece 
appeared  in  the  1647  edition  of  Bishop  Corbet's  "Poems," 
p.  51;  but  the  evidence  in  favor  of  King's  authorship  is 
considerable.  The  Corbet  version  is  incomplete  and 
inferior;  King  had  affiliations  with  Dorset  through  Donne, 
and  through  the  elder  Dorset's  chancellorship  at  Oxford 
during  Bishop  John  King's  vice-chancellorship;  Henry- 
King's  Will  (quoted  by  Hannah,  p.  179)  shows  that  he  was 
a  "faithfully  approved  friend"  of  the  Earl,  for  whom  he 
"was  engaged"  to  the  extent  of  an  unrepaid  thousand 
pounds;  and  finally  the  poetic  manner  is  decidedly  Henry 
King's,  and  there  are  many  close  parallels  between  this 
piece  and  King's  sermons  and  undoubted  poems. 

Elegy  on  his  Wife's  Death. 

51,1  Almost  all  the  MSS.  agree  in  amending  this  title  thus: 
"The  Exequy.  To  his  Matchless  never  to  be  forgotten 
Freind." 

51,17     MS.  reading:  "To  mee  that  mourne:" 

52,34     MS.  reading:  "Like  a  falne  Starr  is  fled  &  gone," 

53,49     MS.  reading:  "n'ere  more  shall  I" 

53,55  Wrongly  punctuated;  insert  period  after  parenthesis, 
and  capitalize  "that." 

53,  61     Insert  comma  after  "her." 

54,83     MS.  reading:  "Good  night,  thou  never  more  shalt  wake" 

54,90  "Hallow"  appears  in  all  the  original  printed  volumes  of 
King's  poems;  yet  all  the  editors  and  publishers  since  1700 
print  "hollow,"  wimoui  giving  explanation  or  authority.  It 
happens  that  "hollow"   is  the  f6rn>  j'  '"i   9   early  MS. 

versions;  but  the  emendation  is  unnecessary,  at  bet*^  for 
"The  English  Dialect  Dictionary,"  ed.  J.  Wright,  1902,  x^I, 
34,    shows    that    "hallow"    was    used    to    mean    "hollow, 

[197] 


NOTES 


sunken,"  "in  Sc.  and  various  counties";  and  furthermore,  at 
worst,  the  emendation  is  a  serious  blunder,  if  Henry  King 
intended  to  use  the  word  "hallow"  in  its  etymological 
sense,  i.e.,  "holy." 

55, 111-114  This  is  the  quatrain  which  Poe  accused  Long- 
fellow of  plagiarizing  in  the  fourth  stanza  of  the  "Psalm 
of  Life."  Cf.  Poe's  "Works,"  ed.  Stedraan  and  Woodberry, 
1895,  VI,  194. 

Elegy  on  the  Death  of  iivo  of  his  Children. 

57, 1  Thomas  Goflfe's  elegy  on  the  death  of  Henry  King's 
wife  (cf.  "Transactions  of  the  Connecticut  Academy  of 
Arts  and  Sciences,"  xviii,  236)  shows  that  two  sons  had 
died  before  her;  the  "two  children"  here  lamented,  there- 
fore, must  have  been  Henry  King's  third  and  sixth  born, 
little  Anne  and  the  fifth  son.  Only  two  of  his  children  sur- 
vived this  bereavement,  viz.,  John  and  Henry. 

A  Letter. 

57, 1     It  is  impossible  to  identify  the  particular  nobleman  here 

addressed. 
60, 61,  62     The    period    after    "agree"    should    be    omitted,    and 

perhaps  we  should  substitute  an  apostrophe  before  the  "s" 

in  "parts"  for  the  comma  after  it. 
60,67     "Indent":  sign  a  contract,  pledge  oneself. 

An  A cknoivledgment. 
62,42     "Road":  harbor,  anchorage. 

The  Departure. 

64,6  "Largest":  .freest-  '.e.,  (most)  unhampered  by  poetic 
ru'   3  uaCi  it.  ..lotions. 

65,4/  A  poor  line,  metrically.  The  MSS.  suggest  no  emenda- 
tion. 

[198] 


NOTES 

Paradox:  That  it  is  best  for  a  Young  Maid. 

67,18  "Calenture":  a  tropical  fever,  or  sun-stroke,  character- 
ized by  delirium.  The  word  was  a  recent  importation  from 
Spain. 

68.46  "Drill":  a  rill  or  small  stream. 

68.47  "Floated":  flooded. 

68,57  "Fontinells":  etymologically,  the  diminutive  of  fountain; 
this  sense  is  quibblingly  intended  here,  in  combination  with 
the  medical  meaning,  discharge  or  issue. 

68,  69fiF  "Erra-Pater,"  the  corrupt  form  of  an  ancient  Jewish 
astrologer's  name,  eminent  but  legendary,  came  at  last  to 
mean  simply  an  almanac.  As  late  as  1683  the  almanacs 
were  also  astrological  "prognostications";  King  here 
borrows  their  absurd  terminology. 

Paradox:  That  Fruition  destroys  Love. 

69, 4  A  quibble  on  "Act"  in  the  sense  of  "result"  or  "eflFect," 
and  in  the  sense  intended  in  1.  50,  p.  70,  inf. 

71,75-77  This  is  the  jargon  of  alchemy;  a  quibble  seems 
intended  upon  the  alchemists'  frequent  employment  of  the 
analog}'  of  human  generation,  in  their  treatises  on  the 
transmutation  or  creation  of  metals. 

71,78     "Third  Ague  fits":  paroxysms  of  tertian  fever. 

The  Change. 

73,1  The  Spanish  motto  signifies:  "The  wise  man  changes 
his  opinion:  the  fool  persists  (in  his)." 

73,  19,   20     The   literal   Rabbinical   conception   of   a   permanent 

terrestrial  Paradise. 

To  my  Sister  Anne. 

74,  1     The  youngest  sister  of  Henry  King  was  a  spirited  and 

talented  girl.     Her  poetic  skill  was  highly  commended  by 
James  Howell    (cf.   "Ep.   Ho-el.,"  under  February  3,   1637, 

[199] 


NOTES 


and  March  26,  1643)  and  Izaak  Walton,  as  well  as  by  her 
brother,  and  she  inspired  versified  tributes  by  Jasper 
Mayne  (cf.  Harl.  MS.  6931,  flf.  59-60v.)  and  others. 

Elegy  on  Lady  Rich. 

75,  1  "Lady  Anne  Cavendish,  first  wife  of  Robert  Lord  Rich 
....  only  daughter  of  William  Cavendish,  second  Earl 
of  Devonshire,  by  Christian,  only  daughter  of  Edward 
Lord  Bruce  of  Kinlosse,"  as  Hannah  (p.  184)  quotes  from 
Brydges'  "Funeral  Memorials,"  p.  6.  She  died  in  the 
summer  of  1638.  Her  husband  was  the  grandson  of  the 
famous  Lady  Rich  who  was  Sir  Philip  Sidney's  "Stella." 
This  formal  elegiac  tribute  implies  no  close  relationship  on 
Henry  King's  part. 

77,52-58  "Northumberland":  cf.  Notes  to  p.  121,1,  and  to  p. 
122,33. 

Elegy  on  Mrs.  Kirk. 

78, 1  This  is  King's  poorest  effort  in  the  field  of  elegy, — cold, 
artificial,  extravagant;  evidently  no  personal  relationship 
existed  here.  Robert  Heath  composed  an  "Epicedium"  on 
the  same  subject,  which  has  even  less  feeling  and  certainly 
less  cleverness  and  finish  than  King's.  And  Glapthorne 
capped  the  descending  climax  in  two  long  and  frigidly 
bombastic  absurdities  "On  the  Noble,  and  much  to  be 
lamented  Mrs.  Anne  Kirk,  wife  to  Mr.  Geo.  Kirk,  Gent, 
of  the  Robes,  of  his  Majesties  Bed-Chamber,  who  was 
unfortunately  drowned  passing  London  Bridge,  July  6. 
1641." 

Elegy  on  Edivard  Holt. 

80, 1  "Edward  Holt,  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Thomas  Holt,  of 
Aston,  Warwickshire,  married  Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter  of 
Bishop  John  King.  He  died  at  Oxford,  in  the  year  1643, 
and  was  buried  in  the  Cathedral  of  Christ  Church  on  the 
30th   of   August   in   that   year." — Hannah,   p.   206.      Henry 

[200] 


NOTES 


King's  Will,  written  in  1653,  repeats  these  charges  against 
the  elder  Holt. 

Elegy  on  Ben  Jonson. 

81, 1  King  must  have  known  Jonson  at  Court.  This  poem  first 
appeared  in  March  (presumably:  cf.  Cunningham's  ed.  of 
Gifford's  "Jonson,"  1875,  ix,  421),  1638,  in  the  volume 
called  "Jonsonus  Virbius,"  collected  and  published  (anony- 
mously) by  Bishop  Bryan  Duppa  in  memory  of  Ben 
Jonson.  King's  tribute  stands  fifth  among  the  twenty-six 
English  poems,  preceded  by  the  work  of  title-bearing 
authors  only. 

81, 1-3  The  old  Greek  superstition  that  a  house  surrounded  by 
laurel  growths  could  not  be  struck  by  lightning. 

81,13-16  The  punctuation  given  in  "Jonsonus  Virbius"  removes 
the  obscurity:  a  colon  should  replace  the  semicolon  in  line 
14,  and  the  comma  should  come  after  "desire"  Instead  of 
after  "adde"  In  line  15.  Then  the  sense  is  this:  'and,  since 
I  can  add  nothing  except  in  inclination  and  good  intention, 
let  not  your  learned  shadow  scorn  me  because  I  pay 
meaner  rites  and  merely  restore  to  you  your  own,  some 
echoes  of  your  own  inspiration.' 

Elegy  on  Prince  Henry. 

83,  1  The  story  of  this  truly  noble  young  Prince's  life  and 
death  Is  nowhere  more  quaintly  told  than  in  the  annotated 
version  of  "Aulicus  Coquinariae"  Included  In  "The  Secret 
History  of  the  Court  of  James  I,"  Edinburgh,  1811,  II, 
239-252.  This  is  the  earliest  English  poem  of  King's  that 
can  be  definitely  dated,  for  he  was  not  yet  twenty-one  years 
old  at  the  time  of  the  Prince's  death,  November  6,  1612. 

83,5,6     The  MSS.  supply  several  variant  readings;  e.g.: 
"Low  as  the  Center.     Death  and  horrour  wed 
To  vent  their  teemeing  misscheife:  Henry's  dead." 

83,11     MS.  reading:  "Compendious  eloquence  of  Death!" 

[201] 


NOTES 

84,15     MS.  reading:  "At  Earthes  last  dissolution";   an  almost 

indispensable  emendation. 
84,18     MS.    reading:    "Throngs    in    this    narrowe    compasse, 

Henry's  dead." 

Eleffy  on  S.  W.  R. 

84, 1  Several  MSS.  give  the  meaning  of  these  initials,  and 
William  Oldys,  in  his  great  Life  prefixed  to  his  ed.  of  the 
"History  of  the  World,"  1736,  I,  ccxxxi,  quotes  this  elegy 
in  full  as  a  favorable  exemplar  of  the  "several  testimonies 
in  verse  of  Sir  Walter  Ralegh's  heroick  comportment  at 
his  death."  Ralegh  was  executed  October  29,  1618.  For 
a  possible  continuation  of  King's  poem,  cf.  Note,  p.  226  (2), 
inf. 

84,6  The  MSS.  supply  a  superior  reading;  the  substitution  of 
"maisterd'st"  for  "master'd"  removes  the  existing  conflict 
between  lines  6  and  8. 

Elegy  on  Bishop  John  King. 

85, 1  To  Henry  King's  Sermon  vindicating  his  father's  ortho- 
doxy, November  25,  1621,  readers  are  referred  for  a  far 
more  fitting  expression  of  his  filial  feelings.  But  these 
lines,  though  they  seem  somewhat  cold  and  formal,  were 
highly  approved  of  by  Fuller  and  various  early  biog- 
raphers and  anthologists.  The  elder  King  died  March 
30,  1621,  after  a  long  and  painful  illness. 

86, 5-8  John  King's  modest  instructions  concerning  his  tomb 
were  obeyed  in  letter  only,  for  an  Epitaphium,  an  Anagram, 
two  Chronograms  (cf.  Note  to  p.  155),  and  two  long  Latin 
eulogies  were  engraved  on  a  large  tablet  set  up  beside  his 
grave,  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral. 

86,  8  A  marginal  note,  in  the  editio  princeps,  informs  us  that 
this  single  word  which  John  King  selected  for  his  epitaph 
was  Resurgam. 

[202] 


NOTES 


86,  13,  14     This   poor    pun   on   the   family   surname   was   based 

upon   the   family  claim   of   descent   from   the    early   Saxon 
monarchs  of  Devonshire. 
86, 19     The  third  and  last  of  the  "Errata"  noted  in  the  original 
printed  edition  of  Henry  King's  poems  is  this;  "Pag.  100. 
lin.  3.  for  Mattox  read  Mattocks." 

Elegy  on  John  Donne. 

86,1  This  piece  was  first  printed  in  the  1633  ed.  of  Donne's 
"Poems,"  where  it  heads  the  group  of  memorial  tributes  in 
verse.  When  entering  the  ministry,  Donne  was  ordained 
by  Bishop  John  King,  with  whom  he  stood  on  very  friendly 
terms;  his  friendship  with  Henry  King  thus  began  early 
and  was  very  intimate,  culminating  in  the  latter's  serving 
as  literary  executor  of  the  great  Dean  of  St.  Paul's. 

87,  8  "Hatchments":  achievements,  in  the  heraldic  sense;  the 
secondary  meaning  has  become  the  commonly  accepted  one, 
— i.e.,  funeral  drapery  on  which  the  family  arms  were 
emblazoned.     Cf.  "Hamlet,"  IV,  v,  214. 

87,  20  In  the  version  printed  in  Donne's  "Poems,"  the  period  at 
the  close  of  this  line  is  very  properly  omitted. 

87, 29flF  Walton  describes  this  scene  graphically  in  his  "Life 
of  Donne,"  1658  ed.,  pp.  103-105.  In  January,  1631,  Donne 
preached  his  last  sermon,  upon  Ps.  LXVIII,  20;  rising 
from  his  sick-bed  to  do  so,  he  returned  to  his  death-bed. 
In  the  2d  ed.  of  Donne's  "Poems,"  1635,  and  the  following 
edd.,  this  marginal  note  is  inserted  opposite  lines  9,  10: 
His  last  Sermon  at  Court. 

Elegy  on  Gustavus  Adolphus. 

89,  1  This  elegy  was  first  printed  in  "The  Swedish  Intelli- 
gencer," London,  a  kind  of  bulletin-record  of  Gustavus' 
military  career.  Of  the  ten  elegies  appended  to  the  Third 
Fart,  King's  is  the  only  one  signed.  For  his  possible 
authorship  of  one  of  the  others,  cf.  Note,  p.  225   (1),  inf. 

[203] 


NOTES 

89,  3-9  One  of  the  "twinn'd  mountains"  is  composed  "of  bound- 
less sorrow"  for  Gustavus'  death,  evidently.  "T'other  of 
sin,"  King  continues:  for  let  no  one  consider  it  anything 
less  than  monstrous  sin  "to  begin  where  honour  ends,"  i.e., 
to  continue  where  honor  has  ceased,  or,  to  be  dishonorable; 
for  honor  has  been  extinguished  with  Gustavus,  and  hardly 
survives  as  a  mere  empty  name  with  us. 

90,26     MS.  reading:  "faine." 

92,96  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Magis  triumphati 
quam  victi.    Tacit,  de  mor.  Ger. 

93,118  "string":  part  of  the  mechanism  of  the  old-fashioned 
fusee  watch,  by  means  of  which  the  declining  power  of  the 
relaxing  spring  was  compensated.  "With"  is  used  in  its 
original  sense  of  "against." 

93,127,128  "Cassiopeian":  In  this  constellation  a  brilliant 
new  star  appeared,  in  1572,  and  then  afterwards  dis- 
appeared as  suddenly.  Tycho  Brahe's  notice  of  it,  De 
Stella  Nova,  was  construed  in  the  English  translation, 
1632,  as  a  prophecy  of  Gustavus'  greatness  (Gustavus  was 
born  in  1594).     (Cf.  Hannah,  182.) 

93, 133-135  This  quotation,  which  does  not  appear  in  the  MSS. 
or  in  "The  Swedish  Intelligencer,"  is  correctly  referred  by 
Hannah  (72)  to  Aeneid  XI,  124-125.  The  mistaken  refer- 
ence to  the  Aeneid,  "lib.  2,"  is  presumably  due  to  the  con- 
fusion of  English  or  Arabic  eleven  with  Roman  two.  "Rex 
Gustave"  has  been  substituted  for  "Vir  Troiane." 

To  Sir  Henry  Blount. 

94,  1  No  details  of  Henry  King's  friendship  with  Sir  Henry 
Blount  are  known,  but  it  seems  to  have  been  a  long-standing 
one  (99, 142)  ;  perhaps  King's  unsatisfied  taste  for  travel 
accounts  for  his  liking  for  the  noted  travellers  Blount, 
James  Howell,  and  the  Sandys  brothers.  Blount's  "Voyage" 
was  his  celebrated  book  entitled,  "A  Voyage  into  the  Levant, 
or   a   brief  Relation   of   a   Journey   lately  performed   from 

[204] 


NOTES 


England  by  way  of  Venice  into  Dalmatia,  Sclavonia,  Bos- 
nato,  Hungary,  Macedonia,  Thessaly,  Thrace,  Rhodes,  and 
Egypt,  unto  Grand  Cairo,  &c."  London,  1636.  2d  ed.  4to. 
The  book  went  through  eight  edd.  between  1636  and  1671. 
If  King's  repeated  "Sir"  may  be  talien  as  a  friendly  com- 
plimentary allusion  to  a  recently  received  honor,  then  the 
poem  may  well  be  dated  about  1640;  for  Blount  was 
knighted  March  21,  1640. 

95, 32  The  following  entry  appears  in  the  catalogue  of  the 
Rawlinson  MSS.,  in  the  Bodleian:  "Tomumbeius,  sive  Sul- 
tanici  in  Aegypto  imperii  eversio,  tragoedia  nova.  Auctore, 
Georgio  Salterno  Bristoensi.  Late  XVIth  Century.  The 
reference  is  to  Tuman  bey,  made  sultan  of  Egypt  in  1516." 
Cf.  Cambuscan,  for  Genghiz  Khan;  Tamerlaine  (p.  164, 
156,  inf.),  for  Timur  Leng;  etc. 

95,36  "Secure":  to  prevent  or  preclude  (a  person)  from  doing 
something  dangerous  or  harmful ;  this  sense  of  the  word  is 
now  obsolete.  The  Neiv  Eng.  Diet,  gives  1633  as  the  date 
of  its  earliest  example. 

97.86  "Meschit":  mescheeto,  or  mosque. 

97.87  "Mufty":  official  head  of  the  established  church  in 
Turkey. 

98,138  "Staple":  market,  or  exchange;  obviously,  a  center  of 
information  is  here  intended,  as  in  Jonson's  play,  "The 
Staple  of  Newes,"  1625. 

To  George  Sandys. 

99,  1  This  piece  was  first  printed  in  the  1638  ed.  of  Sandys' 
"Paraphrase  upon  the  Divine  Poems,"  where  it  follows  two 
tributes  by  the  only  titled  eulogist,  Falkland,  and  precedes 
eight  others,  including  the  Archbishop's  laudatory  Impri- 
matur. George  Sandys  (1578-1644),  seventh  and  youngest 
son  of  the  Archbishop  of  York,  must  have  come  into 
friendly  contact  with  Henry  King  at  court  and  in  the  church. 
Some  authorities  have  assigned  to  Sandys  a  very  important 

[205] 


NOTES 

position  in  the  evolution  of  the  heroic  couplet;  if  so,  King 
may  well  owe  much  to  his  friend's  influence.  Cf.  Introd., 
p.  4,  sup. 

100. 23  This  marginal  note  appears  opposite  this  line,  in  the 
ediiio  princeps:  Sr.  Ediuin  Sandys  survey  of  religion  in 
the  West.  Edwin  Sandys  (1561-1629),  second  son  of  the 
Archbishop  of  York,  was  successively  pupil,  friend,  and 
executor  of  Richard  Hooker.  The  book  here  alluded  to  is 
his  "Europae  Speculum.  Or,  A  View  or  Survey  of  the 
State  of  Religion  in  the  Westerne  parts  of  the  World," 
piratically  printed  in  1605,  first  officially  published  in  1629, 
and  much  re-published   and  translated  thereafter. 

100.24  George  Sandys'  "The  Relation  of  a  Journey  begun  an. 
Dom.  1610,  in  Four  Books,"  through  Turkey,  Egypt,  Pales- 
tine, etc.,  appeared  in  1615  and  went  through  many  editions. 

100,  44  "Chorography" :  cf .  King's  "Exposition  upon  The  Lords 
Prayer,"  1634,  p.  30:  "This  Is  the  Psalmists  method,  who 
being  to  discourse  of  Sion,  and  make  a  spirituall  corography 
and  description  of  the  beauty  thereof,"  etc.  So  Camden's 
"Brittania:  A  chorographlcal  description  of  Great  Britain," 
etc.,  2d  ed.,  1722. 

101,  53     Marginal  note  In  editio  princeps:  Job. 

101,  55     Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Ecclesiastes. 

101,  57-62  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  The  Act  of  Par- 
liament for  publick  Thanksgi'ving  on  the  fifth  of  Novemb. 
set  to  a  tune  by  H.  Dod  a  tradesman  of  London,  at  the  end 
of  his  Psalmes,  ivhich  stole  from  the  Press  Anno  Domini 
1620. — This  marginal  note  does  not  appear  with  the  version 
of  the  poem  prefixed  to  Sandys'  "Paraphrase"  because  these 
six  lines  are  there  omitted.  Possibly  the  MS.  reading  in 
line  62,  "Sternholdes  edition,"  accounts  for  this  omission. 
The  publication  of  King's  own  metrical  Psalms,  meanwhile, 
of  course  made  it  doubly  impossible  to  retain  this  personal 
thrust  in  1657;  the  emendation  of  a  single  word  doubtless 
seemed  preferable  to  the  exclusion  of  six  lines. 

[206] 


NOTES 


101, 63,  64,  65  Marginal  notes  in  ediiio  pr'uiceps:  Hymns 
Lameutat.  Psalmes. 

The  Woes  of  Esay. 

103, 1  This  piece  is  a  free  versification  of  Isaiah  V,  8-30, 
wherein  the  successive  paragraphs  of  "God's  judgments  for 
sin"  begin  with  the  words  "Woe  unto  them  that." 

106,66  "To":  in  comparison  with  (their  own  powers  of 
penetration). 

106,69  "Imp":  clip,  cut  short;  applied  by  a  misunderstanding 
of  the  hawking  term.  The  Neijj  Eng.  Diet,  cites  the  present 
passage  as  the  earliest  use  of  the  word  in  this  sense. 

106,74     "To:"  like  to,  equal  to,  so  great  as. 

107,99  Cf.  Isaiah  V,  26:  "And  he  will  lift  up  an  ensign  to  the 
nations  from  far."  The  apostrophe  in  "sign's"  should  be 
omitted,  or  a  colon  inserted  after  "advanc'd." 

On  Death   and  a  Prison. 

108,22     "By":  beside,  in  comparison  with. 

109,40  "Darkness":  after  this  word  an  "is"  may  have  dis- 
appeared, by  absorption. 

The  Labyrinth. 

111,1  Here,  as  in  the  two  preceding  poems  and  "An  Elegy 
Occasioned  by  Sickness,"  particularly,  Henry  King  owes 
much  to  Joshuah  Sylvester. 

112,40  "At  the  view":  in  plain  sight,  when  the  quarry  or  goal 
is  close  at  hand, — a  hunting  term.  So  in  King's  Lenten 
Sermon,  1625:  "True  speculation  doth  not  alwaies  hunt 
obiecis  at  the  view." 

Sic  Vita. 

113, 1  This  poem  strikingly  illustrates  the  "communism"  pre- 
vailing in  the  seventeenth  century,  for  it  has  been  ascribed 
to  several  writers  and  its  matter  and  manner  were  common 

[207] 


NOTES 


property.  In  the  unprinted  Thesis  above  referred  to  (cf. 
Preface,  p.  vi.),  Appendix  A  gives  fifteen  other  stanzas 
written  on  the  same  model  by  various  hands,  together  with 
an  elaborate  parody  and  an  elaborate  variation,  and  further 
brings  forward  detailed  evidence  to  establish  the  over- 
whelming probability  of  Henry  King's  authorship  of  this 
particular  example  (though  the  question  can  never  be  abso- 
lutely settled)  as  well  as  the  reasonable  probability  of  his 
priority  in  employing  the  stanzaic  form  involved.  It  seems 
likely  that  the  source  of  the  form  and  the  sentiment  is  to  be 
found  in  some  classical  author;  e.g.,  cf.  Seneca's  "Troiades," 
378-399;  "Oedipus,"  131,  132;  "Phaedra,"  764-772.  The 
title  may  well  have  been  taken  from  King's  favorite, 
Petronius,  cap.  45:  "sic  vita  truditur." 

My  Midnight  Meditation. 

114, 1  Three  MSS.  (in  one  of  which  the  title  is  "Of  Mans 
Misery")  ascribe  this  piece  to  Henry  King's  next  younger 
brother.  Dr.  John  King;  but  five  MSS.  ascribe  it  to  Henry, 
and  his  claim  is  further  strengthened  by  the  internal  unlike- 
ness  to  his  brother's  known  work  (which  is  considerably 
inferior),  while  there  are  several  close  parallels  to  Henry 
King's  poems  and  sermons  and  to  the  work  of  poets  whom 
he  frequently  echoes. 

An  Elegy  Occasioned  by  Sickness. 

115,  1  The  "Prophet"  here  referred  to  must  be  either  Job 
(VII,  17;  XV,  14)  or  the  Psalmist  (VIII,  4;  CXLIV,  3). 

116, 9  A  MS.  annotator  in  the  British  Museum  copy  of  the 
1657  issue  substitutes  "Thebes"  for  "Boetis,"  presumably 
because  he,  like  Henry  King,  was  associating  the  Egyptian 
Thebes  with  the  Boeotian. 

116,33     The  MSS.  read:  "Just  such  is  his." 

118, 90ff  Manichaeism  is  at  the  root  of  the  various  heretical 
sects  supporting  this  doctrine. 

[208] 


NOTES 

119,93,94  Posidippus'  Epigram  in  the  Greek  Anthology,  based 
upon  Theognis,  seems  to  be  the  earliest  literary  source  of 
this  sentiment;  it  was  much  translated  or  imitated  in  the 
seventeenth  century.  In  the  edit'to  pr'tnceps,  this  side-note 
appears  in  the  margin  opposite  these  lines;  Non  nasci,  aut 
quam  c'ttissime  mori.  (Cf.  Cicero's  "Tusc.  Disp.,"  I,  48, 
114). 

The  Dirge. 
120,27,28     MS.   reading: 

"Whilst  it  demonstrates  Times  swift  flight 
In  the  black  Lines  of  Shady  night." 

An  Elegy  on  Lady  Stanhope. 

121,  1  This  lamented  lady,  Anne  Percy,  was  the  daughter  of 
the  Countess  Anne  Cecil  Percy,  whose  death  is  alluded  to 
above  (77,52-58);  the  younger  Lady  Anne,  here  lamented, 
was  born  August  12,  1633,  married  Philip,  Lord  Stanhope, 
June  21,  1652,  and  died  November  29,  1654.  The  connecting 
link  between  Henry  King  and  the  Percys,  Earls  of  North- 
umberland, was  in  part  Charles  I's  early  fondness  for  the 
tenth  Earl  (father  of  the  subject  of  this  elegy),  but  chiefly 
the  fact  that  Petworth,  in  Sussex,  fourteen  miles  from 
Chichester,  was  at  once  a  rectorage  of  Henry  King's  and 
the  family  seat  of  the  Percys. 

121,  5     "Hatchments":  Cf.  Note  to  87,  8. 

122,33,34  Both  the  loss  of  a  daughter  (Lady  Stanhope)  and 
the  loss  of  a  wife  (her  mother;  his  first  wife,  who  died 
December  6,  1637)  have  befallen  Northumberland,  and  so 
his  bereavement  has  been  augmented  ("improve")  and  his 
sorrow  doubled. 

122,47  The  "FINIS"  indicates  that  this  was  the  end  of  the 
original  volume.  In  the  1657  and  1700  issues  of  the  editio 
princeps,  the  next  page  was  the  blank  (unpaged)  side  of 
the  last  leaf  at  the  end  of  the  volume,  and  was  therefore 

[209] 


NOTES 


used  for  the  following  list  of  typographical  errors: 
"ERRATA.  Page  2.  The  Pink  never  wrote  by  the  Author 
of  these  Poems.  Pag.  22.  lin.  8.  for  she  read  air.  Pag.  100. 
lin.  3.  for  Mattox  read  Mattocks."  Page  2  should  read  Page 
21.  In  the  1664  issue  of  the  editio  princeps  this  list  remains 
intact  on  this  page,  though  four  new  poems  follow  it  on 
thirty-eight  additional  pages  with  the  new  page-headings 
"ELEGIES"  instead  of  "POEMS,"  new  signatures,  and 
separate  page-numbering,   1-38, — here  numbered   123-156. 

An  Elegy  on  L.  K.  C. 

123,1  Hannah  (p.  99)  gives  a  fuller  title  for  this  poem,  from 
a  MS.  version:  "An  Elegy  on  the  right  Ho.Rble  and  my 
Worthyest  Freind  the  L:  Katherine,  Countesse  of  Leinst'r." 
This  lady  was  the  younger  daughter  of  John,  Lord  Stanhope 
of  Harrington  (younger  branch  of  the  Stanhopes  repre- 
sented by  Lady  Anne  Percy's  husband;  cf.  Note  to  121,1), 
and  wife  of  Robert  Cholmondeley,  a  Welshman  who  was 
made  a  baron  of  England  and  then  an  earl,  1645-1646,  in 
return  for  distinguished  service  to  Charles  I  during  the 
civil  war.  The  countess  died  June  15  and  was  buried  July 
3,  1657.  Presumably  Henry  King  spent  some  time  near  or 
with  this  couple  during  the  period  of  the  Usurpation,  for 
the  intimate  tone  and  personal  references  distinguish  this 
tribute  very  markedly  from  the  merely  formal  or  official 
elegies  which  he  dedicated  to  Lady  Anne  Rich  (p.  75)  and 
Lady  Stanhope   (p.  121). 

124,32  "Rest":  wager, — a  very  common  figure  of  speech  at 
this  time;  its  serious  use,  in  the  most  tragic  passages,  is 
perhaps  best  illustrated  by  Romeo's  familiar  line  in  his 
supreme  liebes-tod   (V,  iii,  110). 

124,3  5-54  This  promise  seems  to  have  been  kept,  for  no  poem 
of  Henry  King's  can  be  dated  later  than  1657,  his  sixty- 
sixth  year. 

[210] 


NOTES 

On  the  Earl  of  Essex. 

125,  1  Robert  Devereux,  third  and  last  Earl  of  Essex,  son  of 
Elizabeth's  favorite,  was  born  in  1591,  became  commander- 
in-chief  of  the  Parliamentary  army  in  1642,  and  died  Sep- 
tember 14,  1646,  after  a  somewhat  inglorious  military 
career.  Henry  King's  father  was  one  of  the  two  prelates 
who  stood  out  manfully  against  Essex'  scandalous  divorce 
(September  25,  1613)  from  Frances  Howard.  Essex'  second 
marriage,  to  Elizabeth  Paulet  in  1631,  led  to  a  separation 
on  the  charge  of  adultery.  The  second  of  the  "two 
Divorces"  mentioned  in  line  3,  refers  to  his  revolt  from  his 
allegiance  to  Charles  I. 

125,  7,  8  An  allusion  to  his  opposition  to  Cromwell  and  to  all 
extreme  measures,  in  his  closing  years. 

126,21     This  paragraph,   like  the  following,  is  in  construction 

a  predicate  with  "He"  (line  13)   as  subject. 
126,32     Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Belshazar,  Dan.  5. 

126,  36-38  I.e.:  in  keeping  with  their  sworn  agreement  (regard- 
less of  their  oath  of  allegiance  to  Charles)  to  "live  and  die 
with  Essex."  This  oath  was  exacted  of  all  members  of  the 
House  of  Commons,  August  15,  1642,  by  way  of  retaliation 
after  the  King  had  proclaimed  Essex  and  his  officers  traitors, 
August  9.    Cf.  p.  147,286. 

An  Elegy  on  Lucas  and  Lisle. 

126, 1  Lucas  and  Lisle  were  condemned  by  Court  Martial  and 
shot  five  hours  after  the  surrender  of  Colchester,  August 
28,  1643,  at  the  end  of  a  seventy-five  days'  siege.  For  a 
vindication  of  this  summary  execution,  cf.  Milton's  sonnet 
"On  the  Lord  General  Fairfax,  at  the  Siege  of  Colchester," 
and  Clements  R.  Markham's  "Life  of  the  Great  Lord 
Fairfax,"  chap,  xxvii. 

127, 31ff  Marginal  note  in  the  editio  princeps:  Sir  George 
Lisle  at  Newbury  charged  in  his  Shirt  and  Routed  them. 

[211] 


NOTES 

Further,  the  side-note  Patroclus  appears  opposite  line  49, 
p.  128. 

128,  60  The  phrase  "to  Mercy"  is  the  crux  of  the  whole  dispute. 
King  assumes  that  it  bore  its  ordinary  literal  sense  and  so 
was  a  pledge  of  safety,  but  this  is  hardly  in  accordance  with 
military  usage;  its  true  signification  would  seem  to  have 
been,  "at  discretion." 

128,64     "President":  Phonetic  spelling  of  "precedent." 

128, 66  Marginal  note  in  the  editio  princeps:  Famagosta 
defended  most  Valiantly  by  Signior  Bragadino  in  the  time 
of  Selymus  2d  ivas  upon  Honourable  terms  surrendred  to 
Mustapha  the  Bashaw,  ivho  observing  no  Conditions,  at  his 
Tent  Murthered  the  Principal  Commanders,  invited  thither 
under  sheiv  of  Love,  and  flayed  Bragadine  Alive. 

130, 105  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  The  Swedes  hired 
Anno  164.  to  invade  the  King  of  Denmark,  provided  to 
assist  his  Nephevo  the  King  of  England.  (The  date  is 
imperfect  in  all  copies  of  the  editio  princeps,  apparently.) 

130,115  Matthew  Hopkins  inaugurated  the  new  profession  of 
witch-seeking  in  1644;  after  he  had  caused  the  death  of 
scores  of  helpless  old  men  and  women,  his  own  method  or 
test  was  applied  to  himself  (i.e.,  he  was  cast  into  a  pond, 
with  thumbs  and  great  toes  tied  together),  and  when  he 
"swam"  or  floated  he  was  adjudged  guilty  and  hanged,  in 
1647. 

130,  117  "Cad":  the  Nevi:  Eng.  Diet,  quotes  this  line  as  the  first 
use  of  the  word;  meaning,  "familiar  spirit";  etymology 
unknown. 

130,  122  The  executive  power  of  government  was  vested  by 
Parliament,  February,  1644,  in  a  Committee  of  Both  King- 
doms, which  first  sat  at  Derby  House,  in  Canon  Row, 
London.  The  Westminster  Assembly,  1644,  superseded  the 
Episcopal  Church  as  the  Committee  superseded  Charles. 

132,  160  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  See  the  Letter  sent 
to  Edward  Earl  of  Manchester,  Speaker  of  the  House  of 

[212] 


NOTES 

Peers  pro  tempore,  from  T.  Fairfax,  Dated  August  29. 
1648.  at  Hieth.  (This  letter  with  other  related  papers  may- 
be found  in  "Collection  of  Pamphlets  Anno  1648,"  articles 
35,  24,  18,  etc.  [British  Museum,  shelf-number  E  461].  On 
the  showing  of  these  documents,  the  execution  of  Lucas  and 
Lisle  is  open  to  no  such  criticism  as  King  urges  against  it.) 

132, 170  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Wat-Tyler  and  his 
Complices  design  ivas  to  take  away  the  King  and  chief 
Men,  and  to  erect  petty  Tyrannies  to  themselves  in  every 
Shire.  And  already  one  Littistar  a  Dyar  had  taken  upon 
Him  in  Norfolk  the  Name  of  King  of  Commons,  and 
Robert   Westborn   in    Suffolk,   Rich.   2.   Anno    1381.    Speed. 

132,  183  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  At  St.  Fagans  in 
Glamorganshire  near  Cardiff,  The  Welsh  unarmed  ixiere 
taken  in  very  great  Numbers,  and  Sold  for  tivelve  pence  a 
piece  to  certain  Merchants,  luho  bought  them  for  Slaves  to 
their  Plantation. 

133,188  "Aspers":  small  silver  Turkish  coins,  worth  1-120  of 
a  piastre. 

133,194  "Argiers":  Cf.  Tempest,  I,  ii,  309,  and  Furness'  cita- 
tion of  Collier's  note:  "The  name  for  Algiers  till  about  the 
Restoration." 

133,201  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Grimes  noiv  a 
Captain,  formerly  a  Tinker  at  St.  Albans,  'with  his  oion 
hand  Killed  four  of  the  Prisoners,  being  not  able  for  Faint- 
ness  to  go  on  ivith  the  rest,  of  ivhich  number  Lieutenant 
Woodward  ivas  one:  Likewise  at  Thame,  and  at  Whateley, 
some  others  were  Kill'd. 

136,284  "Caput  Algol":  the  star  known  as  Medusa's  Head,  in 
the  constellation  Perseus;  the  word  Algol  is  apparently  the 
Arabic  equivalent  of  Medusa,  al-ghul,  the  ghoul  or  female 
demon.  King's  use  of  the  word  would  seem  to  antedate 
the  earliest  example    (1649)    given  in  the  New  Eng.  Diet. 

136,  295ff     Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  I  Kings  2.32.  vers. 

[213] 


NOTES 

An  Elegy  on  King  Charles  I. 

137, 1  King's  "Anniversary  Sermon,"  1665,  is  simply  a  prose 
version  of  this  poem,  as  if  expanded  from  the  same  notes, 
and  may  profitably  be  consulted  throughout. 

137,12  This  line  lacks  one  syllable,  metrically;  perhaps  the 
word  "our"  was  accidentally  omitted  before  "eyes." 

138,32  "Bosome  interest":  cf.  Macbeth,  I,  ii,  38.  King's 
"Inauguration  Sermon,"  1640,  furnishes  a  further  com- 
mentary upon  this  poem;  for  this  catalogue  of  Charles* 
virtues,  cf.  pp.  54-56. 

139,  51,  52  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps: — Sparguntur  in 
omnes,  In  te  mista  fluunt Claudian. 

139,  53-56  'O  frail  glories,  which  feel  tempests  force  you  to 
relinquish  your  firmest  foundation  (i.e.,  innocence  and  real 
worth)  !     What  shall  save  you,  since  innocence  cannot?' 

139,  61  From  here  onwards  to  p.  153,  1.  476,  the  members  of 
the  Long  Parliament  are  the  persons  addressed  and  attacked 
in  this  poem. 

139,  63  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Call'd  the  Councel  of 
Troubles. 

139,  73  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  The  form  of  taking 
the  Co'venant,  June  1643. 

140,98  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Diodorus  Siculus 
lib.  2. 

141,  119  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Remonstrance  of  the 
State  of  the  Kingdom,  Dec.  15.  1641. 

141,  130ff  Marginal  notes  in  editio  princeps:  Ord.  Feb.  29. 
Voted  March  15.  The  Navy  seiz'd  Mar.  28.  1642.  The 
London  Tumults.     Jan.  10.  1641. 

142, 142     Read,  "Mouths"  and  "maintain." 

142,151     The  closing  of  the  Theatres,  September  2,  1642. 

142,159     "Stale":  bait,  decoy,  stalking-horse. 

[214] 


NOTES 

143,  172     Marginal   note  in   editio  princeps:  At  B3.%\ng-Chapel 

Sold  Dec.  29.  1643. 
143,  175     Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  At  Winchester. 
143,  181     Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Lactant.  L.2.C.4. 
143,  185     Marginal  note   in  editio  princeps:  Julian.  Praefectus 

AEgypti.    Theodoret.    L.3.C.11.       (The    same    reference    is 

indicated  in  line  189  by  the  marginal  note,  ihid.) 
143,191     "His  death  present":  Christ's  dying  gift  or  legacy  to 

humanity  (i.e.,  the  bread  and  wine  of  the  Eucharist). 

143,  192     Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:   Ganguin.  L.6. 

144,  197  Sir  Arthur  Haselrig,  Waller's  second  in  command, 
was  guilty  of  special  outrages  in  the  sacking  of  Chichester 
Cathedral,  Chapter  House,  and  Episcopal  Palace,  December 
29,  1642,  and  following  days.  Cf.  "Sussex  Arch.  Coll.," 
1881,  xxxi,  205-208. 

144,200  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  The  Carpet  belong- 
ing to  the  Communion  Table  of  Winchester  Cathedral,  Dec. 
18,  1642. 

144,205     Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Adrian  Emp. 

144,  221fl  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  At  Winchcomb  in 
Gloucestershire. — The  outrages  mentioned  in  these  lines  are 
described  (with  parallels  too  close  for  mere  coincidence, 
apparently)  in  a  strange  composition  running  to  seventy- 
five  pages  of  inferior  heroic  couplets,  entitled   "The  Four 

Ages  of  England:  or,  The  Iron  Age Written  in  the 

Year  1648,"  sometimes  ascribed  to  Cowley. 

145,  224  Cf .  2  Kings  X,  18-28.  One  of  the  two  points  of  punc- 
tuation before  "a  Draught"  should  be  omitted,  and  perhaps 
a  dash  inserted. 

145,230  A  reference  to  the  baptism  and  surname  of  Con- 
stantine  V,  Emperor  of  the  East  741-775,  son  of  Leo  III,  the 
Iconoclast. 

145,235  "Your":  apostrophizing  the  members  of  the  Long 
Parliament  again. 

[215] 


NOTES 


145,241  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Whitehall,  Windsor. 
Feb.  3.  1643. 

145,246  Bel  was  among  Assyrians  and  Babylonians  about 
what  Baal  was  among  the  Canaanites. 

146,274,275  Marginal  notes  in  editio  princeps:  E.  of  Essex 
Army,  Aug.  1.  1642.  The  Standard  at  Notinghara,  Aug. 
25.  1642. 

147,283     Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  June  27.  1643. 

147,286  Cf.  Note  on  126,  36-38,  sup.  The  marginal  note  here, 
in  the  editio  princeps,  makes  the  same  reference:  Declara- 
tion and  Resolution  of  Pari.  Aug.  15.  1642. 

147,293     "Trains":  wiles,  lures,  plots,  stratagems. 

147,301-302  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  History  of 
English  and  Scotish  Presbytery,  p.  320. 

148,313-314  Milton  has,  of  course,  given  this  idea  its  definitive 
form  in  the  last  line  of  his  piece  "On  the  New  Forcers  of 
Conscience  under  the  Long  Parliament":  "New  Presbyter 
is  but  old  Priest  writ  large." 

148,320  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  The  19  Proj.-'s. 
(Enunciated  in  May,  1642). 

148,333-335  Marginal  notes  in  editio  princeps:  April  27.  1646. 
May  5.  1646. 

149,  350  Quibble  intended  on  the  legal  and  ethical  senses  of 
the  word  "Liberty." 

149,351  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  This  Order  pub- 
lish'd  by  beat  of  Drum,  May  4.  1646. 

150,389-390  Cf.  Marvell's  "Horatian  Ode  upon  Cromwell's 
Return  from  Ireland,"  stanzas  12-14. 

150,392     "Lieger-Hangman":  resident  executioner. 

150, 402flF     Marginal    notes    in    editio    princeps:    Jan.    3.    1647. 

Jan.  9.  1647. 
151,405-414     Apparently,  these  lines  are  two  complex  temporal 

clauses   ("when  that  Cloud  remov'd"  and  "when  the  King- 

[216] 


NOTES 

dom  cry'd")  dating  the  action  described  in  the  imperative 
main  clause,  lines  415-420.  The  interrogation  point  at  the 
end  of  414  should  be  replaced  by  a  colon  and  dash. 

151,408  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  Colchester  Siege. 
(Cf.  preceding  elegy.) 

151,413ff  Marginal  note  in  editio  princeps:  June  30.  1648. 
Treaty  Voted,  July  28.  1648. 

151,429-432  The  Army  shut  the  King  up  at  Hurst  Castle  and 
then  at  Windsor;  and  "shut  out"  the  undesirable  element 
in  Parliament  by  means  of  Pride's  Purge,  December  6,  1648. 

151.432  "Hand-wolves":  trained  wolves,  brought  up  by  hand. 

152.433  "You  and  They":  the  Long  Parliament  and  the  Army. 
152,445     Cf.  161,71-75. 

152,457-458  Double  quibble:  clew=trace,  and  thread;  Ravel= 
examine  into,  and  unwind. 

153,485-486  Cf.  2  Chron.  XXXV,  24,  25— the  text  of  King's 
"Anniversary  Sermon,"  1665. 

153,490-506  These  lines  are  an  important  testimony  to  the 
current  belief  in  the  royal  authorship  of  "Eikon  Basilike," 
for  they  are  dated  within  six  weeks  of  the  execution.  In 
his  "Anniversary  Sermon,"  1665,  Henry  King  reaffirms  his 
faith,  by  implication  at  least,  and  indulges  in  a  spiteful 
fling  at  the  blind  Milton  for  his  "Iconoclastes."  See  repro- 
duction, facing  p.  152,  sup. 

154,  520     Cf.  2  Kings  IX,  31. 

155  The  sense  of  this  chronogram  is  obvious  (i.e.,  "Charles 
Stuart,  King  of  England,  departed  this  life  on  the  30th  of 
January,  murdered  with  an  axe."),  and  the  date  is  easily 
read  if  the  letters  in  large  type  are  printed  alone,  in  proper 
order:  MCCCCCLLXVVVVVVIIIIIIII,=1648.  One  of  the 
two  chronograms  on  the  "Table"  by  Bishop  John  King's 
grave  (cf.  note  on  86,5-8,  sup.)  is  this:  seqVentVr  qVI 
nonDVM  praeCessere,  i.e.,  "Those  who  have  not  already 
gone  before,  shall  follow";  by  taking  out  and  rearranging 

[217] 


NOTES 


the  letters  in  larger  type,  we  arrive  at  the  date  of  John 
King's  death,  MDCVVVVI,=1621.  Addison,  in  a  paper  on 
"False  Wit,"  Spectator  No.  60,  May  9,  1711,  sufficiently 
ridicules  such  laborious  trifling. 

[This  chronogram  served  as  colophon  for  the  1664  issue  of 
the  editio  princeps.  The  remaining  poems  in  the  present 
volume  (except  for  the  four  epigrams  which  Hannah  printed 
in  his  selection)  have  not  hitherto  been  included  in  any 
edition  of  Henry  King's  work.] 

A  Deepe  Groane,  etc. —  {Second  Elegy  on  Charles  I). 

157  This  title-page  is  taken  from  the  Bodleian  copy  (shelf- 
number.  Wood  364.29)  of  the  first  issue;  the  "D.H.K."  in 
this  copy  is  thus  filled  out  in  early  MS.:  "Dr.  Hen.  King 
Bp  of  Chich."  A  similar  MS.  ascription  appears  in  three  of 
the  four  copies  (representing  all  three  issues  of  the  piece, 
the  second  printing  being  ascribed  to  LB.  and  *he  third 
being  anonymous,  but  all  appearing  in  the  same  year,  1649) 
collated  for  the  text  of  the  present  edition.  The  proof  of 
King's  authorship  (accepted  by  Lowndes,  Hazlitt,  and 
other  bibliographers)  depends  upon  Wood's  attribution 
("Athen.  Oxon.,"  HI,  841),  upon  the  early  MS.  ascriptions, 
and  upon  the  internal  evidence  of  style  and  of  parallelism 
with  King's  Sermons  and  his  acknowledged  poems.  This 
elegy  is  certainly  inferior  to  the  preceding,  in  power  and 
poetry,  but  the  change  in  point  of  view  or  purpose  might 
explain  this;  for  the  preceding  is  devoted  to  a  fiery  attack 
on  Parliament  with  an  impassioned  lament  for  desecrated 
ecclesiasticism  and  fallen  monarchy,  while  the  present  effu- 
sion is  devoted  to  King  Charles  personally  and  so  falls  into 
the  conventional  extravagances  which  disfigure  pp.  76,  78, 
79,  137,  138,  etc.,  sup.,  as  well  as  King's  Sermons  on  similar 
subjects. 

The  text  of  the  present  edition  is  that  of  the  second  or 
"LB."  version  (Bodleian;  Pamphlets.  88.  1649.  L),  while 
the  variants   recorded   in   these   Notes   are  drawn  from  the 

[218] 


NOTES 

two  other  printings.     Variant  readings  that   are  obviously 

inferior  have  been  omitted. 
159,21     Marginal  note  in  original  text:  Caligula. 
160,34     "Gashing":  variant  reading,  "gasping." 
160,  53     Francis  Ravaillac  assassinated  Henry  IV,  of  France,  in 

1610. 
160, 54     John    Ruthven,    Earl    of    Gowrie,    led    the    conspiracy 

against  James  VI,  of  Scotland,  in  1600. 
160,57     "Apochyphall":  variant  reading,  "Apocryphall." 
161,73     "Bedlane":  variant  reading,  "Bedlam." 
151,77     "Scepture   the    Head":   variant    reading,    "Scepter;    th' 

Head." 

162.98  "The  Red  Sea?":  variant  reading,  "this." 

162.99  "Deading":  variant  reading,  "leading."  But  King 
uses  "dead"  as  a  transitive  verb  on  p.  33  of  his  Funeral 
Sermon  for  Duppa,  1662. 

162,114  The  two  syllables  missing  here,  metrically,  are 
supplied  by  the  variant  reading:  "stabs  at  Higher  Majestie." 

163, 12S     "But  how  much":  variant  reading,  "By  how  much." 

163,134  "A  plague-sore,  blayne":  variant  reading,  "A  plague- 
sore-blast."  But  "blain,"  meaning  "inflammation"  or 
"pustule,"  makes  perfect  sense  here. 

163,139  "Commence":  the  technical  term  for  taking  a  Univer- 
sity degree. 

163, 146     Thy  whole  life  has  been  one  long  execution. 

164,  154-156  Cf.  Marlowe's  "Tamburlaine,"  Part  One,  IV,  ii, 
et  seq. 

164,155  The  syllable  missing  here,  metrically,  is  supplied  by 
the  variant  reading:  "might  yet  have  layne." 

164,  157  It  is  entirely  possible  that  King  intended  a  specific 
reference  here  (e.g.,  to  one  of  the  Episodes  recounted  by 
Diodorus  Siculus,  XX,  44,  or  Justin,  XVIII,  3)  ;  but  more 
probably  he  used  "Sidonian"  as  a  general  term  of  reproach 

[219] 


NOTES 

to  stigmatize  the  religious  foes  of  Israel.     Cf.  Gen.  X,  15; 
Matt.  XI,  21,  22. 

164.168  "World,  proud  conquest":  variant  reading,  "Worlds 
proud." 

164.169  "Keepst":  variant  reading,  "kept'st." 

164,  170  Perhaps  an  allusion  to  the  frontispiece  or  "Emblerae" 
accompanying  the  original  edition  of  "Eikon  Basilike." 

164,  173     Marginal  note  in  the  variant  versions:  Cynegirus. 
164,176     "The":  variant  reading,  "Thy." 

165,.  179     Marginal  note  in  original  text:  Horatius.     Codes. 
165,192     "Souls":  variant  reading,  "Soule." 

165,  199-200  Charles  refused  to  live  at  the  price  of  sacrificing 
his  people;  i.e.,  he  died  rather  than  surrender  his  people's 
right  to  be  ruled  by  him.  The  next  four  lines  illustrate  this 
ultra-royalist  view. 

165,201     Marginal  note  in  original  text:  Codriis. 
166,211     "Art  least":  the  variant  reading,  "at  least,"  goes  only 
half  way;  we  should  preferably  read,  "at  last." 

166,214  "Nephews":  descendants,  successors,  or  here  perhaps 
posterity  in  general. 

166,215-216  The  parenthesis  should  not  close  till  the  end  of 
line  216,  obviously;  the  variant  reading  supplies  this  emen- 
dation. 

166,216  Allusion  to  the  wording  of  the  formal  death-sentence 
pronounced  against  Charles. 

166,218     Olibanum  was  an  aromatic  gum  used  for  incense. 

167,237-242  This  is  a  free  version  of  lines  75-81  in  Buchanan's 
"Genethliacon  Jacobi  Sexti  Regis  Scotorum,"  a  birthday  ode 
on  the  nativity  of  James,  in  1566.  The  variant  versions  of 
King's  elegy  supply  improved  readings  here:  we  should 
read  henigna  for  benigtii  (17),  Principe  majus  for  principe 
major  (18),  and  sui  for  sin  (22). 

[220] 


NOTES 


167,243  George  Buchanan  (1506-1582),  tutor  of  James  VI  of 
Scotland,  is  frequently  inveighed  against  in  King's  Sermons; 
he  wrote  "De  Jure  Regni,"  which  became  almost  the  Bible 
of  the  Long  Parliament  on  account  of  its  defence  of  limited 
monarchy  and  tyrannicide. 

Epigrams. 

168,  169  These  Epigrams  are  reprinted  from  Hannah's  edition, 
after  his  text  had  been  collated  with  the  versions  included 
in  the  Malone  MS.  volume  of  King's  poems.  He  refers  the 
first  motto,  from  Petronius,  to  "c.  14" ;  the  second,  from 
Martial,  to  "I.  14";  and  the  third,  from  Petronius,  to  "c. 
83."  The  fourth,  which  he  apparently  could  not  identify,  is 
assigned  to  Terentianus  Maurus,  "De  Literis,  Syllabis,  et 
Metris,"  1286,  in  Harbottle's  "Diet.  Clas.  Quot."  1897,  p. 
78. 

On  J.  K.,  first-born  of  H.  K. 

173,1  The  text  is  taken  from  Rawl.  MS.  D.  317,  fol.  175, 
collated  with  the  copy  in  Harl.  MS.  6917,  ff.  96v.,  97.  Both 
versions  are  signed,  the  first  with  Henry  King's  monogram, 
the  second  with  his  initials;  the  first  codex  is  almost  entirely 
given  up  to  Oxford  people  and  affairs  of  this  particular 
period,  while  the  second  is  chiefly  devoted  to  Henry  King's 
own  work;  and  furthermore  the  Rawl.  version  is  in  Henry 
King's  autograph,  as  diligent  comparison  with  his  five 
signed  letters  proves.  So  the  external  evidence  seems  to 
establish  King's  authorship  satisfactorily,  and  is  decisively 
corroborated  by  the  internal  evidence  of  style  and  subject- 
matter.  "J.  K."  was,  of  course,  Henry  King's  eldest  child, 
John,  who  died  in  infancy,  1618-1619. 

173,11     "Bating":  fluttering;  taking  flight. 

To  One  that  Demanded,  etc. 

174,  1  Taken  from  Malone  MS.  vol.,  fol.  24.  Plainly  an  earlier 
version  of  the  piece  printed  on  pp.  41,  42,  sup. 

[221] 


NOTES 

To  a  Lady,  etc. 

174, 1  Taken  from  Malone  MS.  vol.,  fol.  34.  Plainly  an  earlier 
version  of  the  piece  printed  on  pp.  26,  27,  sup. 

Epigram. 

174,  1  Taken  from  Malone  MS.  vol.,  fol.  31v.  King  dealt 
with  this  subject  at  greater  length  in  his  Paradox,  "That 
Fruition  destroyes  Love,"  p.  69,  sup.  The  motto  is  assigned 
to  "Satyricon,  Cap.  15,"  in  Harbottle's  "Diet.  Clas.  Quot.," 
1897,  p.  166. 

A  Contemplation  upon  Flowers. 

177, 1  This  beautiful  little  poem  is  taken  from  Harl.  MS. 
6917,  fol.  105v,  It  is  there  signed  "H:  Kinge:",  and  the 
whole  codex  is  largely  given  up  to  Henry  King's  work, 
family,  and  affairs.  On  the  strength  of  this  single  MS. 
attribution,  Professor  E.  Arber  printed  the  poem  as  King's 
in  his  "Milton  Anthology,"  1899,  p.  98  (and  Note,  p.  301, 
ibid.)  ;  and  on  the  basis  of  Arber's  authority  plus  "internal 
evidence, — style,  thought,  cadence,  etc.,"  Sir  Arthur  Quiller- 
Couch  assigned  the  poem  to  King  in  his  "Oxford  Book  of 
English  Verse,"  1900,  p.  286.  The  subjective  test,  of  internal 
evidence,  is  particularly  unsatisfactory  in  this  period,  and 
a  single  MS.  commonplace-book  attribution  is  hardly  con- 
clusive ;  so,  in  spite  of  King's  employment  of  almost  the 
same  metre  in  "The  Double  Rock,"  p.  13,  sup.,  it  has  seemed 
safest  to  print  this  piece  among  the  Doubtful  Poems. 

177,14  "Take  truce":  have  respite,  have  a  temporary  inter- 
mission from  pain  or  struggle. 

The  Complaint,  and  On  his  Shaddow. 

178-181  "On  his  Shaddow"  fills  ff.  173,  173v.,  174,  and  174v.,  of 
Rawl.  MS.  D.  317.  On  fol.  175  appears  the  elegy  "Upon 
ye  untimely  death  of  J.  K.  first  borne  of  H.  K.,"  as  described 

[222] 


NOTES 

in  the  Note  to  p.  173,  sup.  Ff.  175v.,  176,  176v.,  are  blank, 
the  last  two  being  uncut.  These  eight  pages  or  four  leaves 
are  really  a  single  large  piece  of  paper  folded  twice.  "The 
Complaint,"  on  fol.  161,  Rawl.  MS.  D.  317,  is  written  on  a 
separate  sheet  of  the  same  kind  of  paper,  followed  by  an 
extra  blank  leaf,  unnumbered.  All  three  poems  are  in 
Henry  King's  autograph.  "The  Complaint"  and  "On  his 
Shaddow"  are  unsigned,  and  hence  are  tentatively  cata- 
logued in  the  Bodleian  as  "Quo.  by  H.  King?"  In  manner 
and  matter  they  might  well  be  fruits  of  his  younger  days, 
and  their  inclusion  (also  unsigned)  in  Harl.  MS.  6917,  ff. 
97-98v.,  establishes  a  further  ground  for  associating  them 
with  Henry  King.  However,  in  default  of  positive  proof 
they  are  placed  among  the  Doubtful  Poems.  The  text  here 
given  is  that  of  the  Rawl.  MS. 

178.8  "Careles  Boy":  Cupid. 

178.9  "Convey'd":  substituted. 

179.10  "Were  borrow":  Harl.  MS.  reading,  "we  borrow." 
179,23     "Harbourd'st":  Harl.  MS.  reading,  "harbourst." 
180,55     Harl.  MS.  reading:  "Earth  could  not  match." 
181,71,72     To  win  fame,  one  must  fall  on  the  field  of  honour. 

Wishes  to  my  Son  John,  etc. 

181,1  This  poem  appears  (unsigned)  on  ff.  lOlv.,  102,  in 
Harl.  MS.  6917.  If  one  of  two  details  be  emended,  this 
piece  may  be  unhesitatingly  assigned  to  King:  we  should 
read  either  "Jan.  1,  1622  (or  3,  or  4)"  so  as  to  bring  the 
date  within  Anne  Berkeley  King's  lifetime,  or  else  "such 
as  ivas  thy  Sires,"  at  line  41,  p.  182.  With  either  of  these 
alterations,  the  internal  evidence  would  establish  King's 
authorship  beyond  question.  The  other  alternative  is  the 
hypothesis  that  this  poem  is  correct  and  authentic  as  it 
stands,  and  that  the  reference  in  182,41,  concerns  his 
second  wife,  not  Anne  Berkeley.     The  whole  passage,  182, 

[223] 


NOTES 

40-46,  certainly  suggests  the  unromantic,  utilitarian  kind 
of  marriage  which  may  be  inferred  from  the  poems  on  pp, 
33-35,  sup.  In  this  case,  "The  Anniverse,"  p.  55,  sup.,  must 
have  been  written  only  a  very  short  time  before  the  second 
wedding;  but,  of  course,  "1630"  in  the  title  of  the  present 
poem  really  means  "1631."  When  the  references  to  facts 
in  King's  life,  and  the  parallels  to  his  known  works,  are 
considered,  it  will  be  felt  that  this  piece  has  been  dealt 
with  very  conservatively  in  being  placed  among  the 
Doubtful  Poems. 

182,  15ff  These  pious  wishes  were  but  ill  requited  by  John 
King's  amour  in  1646  at  Aldbury,  Surrey.  (Cf.  "Transac- 
tions of  the  Connecticut  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences," 
XVIII,  241.) 

182,19-21     These  lines  should  read  as  follows: 

"May  a  pure  soule  inhabite  still 
This  well-mixt  clay,   and  a  streight  will: 
This  act  by  Reason,  that  by  Grace." 

I.e.,  the  Will  may  act  by  (human)  Reason,  but  the  Soul 
requires  (divine)  Grace  for  the  proper  guidance  of  its 
action. 

182,24,26     Ellipsis  of  "ma}',"  in  each  line. 

182,28  This  line  strengthens  the  argument  for  Henry  King's 
authorship;  for  unless  this  be  the  familiar  pun  on  the 
family  name  (cf.  Note  on  86,13,14,  sup.),  there  is  no 
meaning  in  wishing  that  the  boy  may  be  a  "priest"  as  ivell 
as  a  "Kinge."  The  next  three  lines,  also,  are  strikingly 
applicable  to  Henry  King's  life. 

182,39     "Line":  cf.  Psalm  XIX,  4,  and  Isaiah  XXVIII,  10,  13. 

182,40-46  Cf.  100,25-32,  sup.  For  discussion  of  the  question 
of  Henry  King's  second  marriage,  cf.  the  present  writer's 
article  in  the  "Transactions  of  the  Connecticut  Academy  of 
Arts  and  Sciences,"  Yale  University  Press,  1913,  XVIII,  pp. 
238-239,  285-286. 

[224] 


NOTES 

183,47,48  "Gowne-men" :  lawyers.  In  his  Will  (Hannah, 
cxi),  King  mentions  "a  thousand  pounds,  which  by  a  long 
and  chargeable  suite  I  recovered  from  Nicholas  Arnold 
Esquire  upon  a  Judgment  att  common  law." 

Elegus:  on  Dr.  Spenser. 

183,1  Taken  from  Rawl.  IVIS.  D.  912,  fol.  305v.;  the  Latin 
"Elegvs,"  of  which  this  is  a  translation,  occupies  fol.  305, 
and  the  poem  thus  fills  both  sides  of  a  single  large  foolscap 
sheet.  The  Latin  original  is  in  King's  autograph,  and 
bears  this  signature:  "Maerens  posuit  Hen:  Kinge  ex  Aede 
Chri:"  The  English  translation  is  inferior  to  the  Latin,  is 
in  a  different  hand,  employs  a  metre  not  found  elsewhere 
in  Henry  King's  poetry,  and  omits  the  closing  distich 
(which  is  too  neat  to  be  ignored: 

"Solus  enim  patitur  genuinos  iste  dolores, 

Quique  tacendo  dolet,  quique  dolendo  tacet"). 

The  case  for  King's  authorship  rests  upon  the  many  emen- 
dations and  changes  (in  both  Latin  and  English  MSS.) 
which  would  hardly  have  been  made  by  any  one  but  the 
acknowledged  author.  Spenser,  a  friend  of  Bishop  John 
King,  died  April  3,  1614. 


[It  is  perhaps  fitting  for  the  present  editor  to  record  here  his 
conviction  that  the  first  four  of  these  "Doubtful  Poems"  were 
written  by  Henry  King,  in  all  human  probability,  while  the 
fifth  probably  was  not.  There  remain  four  pieces  wherein  the 
chances  of  King's  authorship  are  so  slight  as  hardly  to  justify 
their  inclusion  in  full  in  this  edition,  though  brief  mention 
must  be  accorded  them: 

(1)  In  Malone  MS.  21,  ff.  7-8v.,  there  appears  "An  Elegy 
upon  ye  Kg  of  Swedens  Death  (1632),"  114  lines,  signed  "Dr. 
Hen:  King."  This  elegy  was  printed  (unsigned)  in  the  supple- 
ment to  "The  Swedish  Intelligencer"    (cf.  Note  to  89, 1,  sup.), 

[225] 


NOTES 


where  it  stands  third  from  the  end.  It  is  very  unlikely  that 
Henry  King  would  have  printed  two  elegies  on  this  subject 
(cf.  pp.  89-93,  sup.)  in  the  same  publication,  the  first  with  and 
the  second  without  his  signature. 

(2)  In  Harl.  MS.  3910,  fol.  28v.,  and  Rawl.  MS.  Misc.  699, 
p.  35,  King's  "An  Elegy  Upon  S.  W.  R."  (pp.  84,  85,  sup.)  has 
affixed  to  it  seven  octosyllabic  couplets  on  the  same  subject. 
Hannah  ("Courtly  Poets,"  1870,  xxix)  does  not  claim  these 
lines  for  King;  and  in  the  MSS.  they  are  ascribed  to  "W.  R." 
or  "A.  B.,"  but  never  to  "H.  K." 

(3)  A  48-line  effusion,  entitled  "Doctor  King  his  Farewell 
to  the  world,"  appears  in  Egert.  MS.  2725,  ff.  61,  61v.,  and  in 
Harl.  MS.  6057,  fol.  14;  but  several  other  MSS.  ascribe  the  piece 
to  Sir  Kenelm  Digby,  and  it  has  also  been  assigned  to  Ralegh, 
Wotton,  and  Donne.  In  E.  K.  Chambers'  "Muses'  Library" 
ed.  of  Donne,  1896,  II,  273,  this  piece  is  printed  with  the  last 
stanza  of  King's  "The  Farewell"  (p.  16,  19-24,  sup.)  incorpo- 
rated as  conclusion.  Both  Hannah  ("Courtly  Poets,"  1870,  109) 
and  Chambers  confess  the  impossibility  of  assigning  the  piece 
definitely  to  any  author,  and  certainly  King's  claim  is  by  no 
means  the  strongest. 

(4)  Hannah,  in  his  edition  of  King's  poems  (p.  102),  prints  in 
square  brackets  a  twelve-line  elegy  which  he  found,  without 
title  or  signature,  at  the  close  of  his  MS.  volume  of  King's 
poetry.  It  immediately  follows  King's  authentic  elegy  on  the 
Countess  of  Leinster  (123-125,  sup.),  but  is  so  different  from 
that  in  tone  as  to  need  considerably  more  evidence  than  at 
present  exists  before  it  can  be  accepted  as  even  probably  Henry 
King's  work.] 


[226] 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY,  LOS  ANGELES 


This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


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